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Published 14:02 IST, September 14th 2019

Saradha Scam: No response from Rajeev Kumar to CBI; 3pm deadline given

Former Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has not responded to CBI notice after the Calcutta High Court on Friday struck down his protection from arrest.

Reported by: Navashree Nandini
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Even as trouble mounted on former Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar after the Calcutta High Court on Friday struck down his protection from arrest, Kumar has not responded to CBI summon scheduled on Saturday, sources informed. Soon after the Calcutta High Court rejected the petition of the former Kolkata Police Commissioner to quash CBI's notice seeking his appearance for questioning related to the Saradha Chit fund scam, the CBI ordered him to appear on Saturday. However, as per sources, Rajeev Kumar, a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has not responded to CBI's notice. Sources also informed that CBI will take its further step only after the 3 PM deadline. As the High Court has withdrawn the protection from arrest, Rajeev Kumar may face CBI arrest as well. 

CBI summons Rajeev Kumar after HC withdraws protection from arrest

Rajeev Kumar's involvement in Saradha case?

The Kolkata Police Commissioner was heading the SIT formed by WB Government to probe the Saradha Chit fund case. In February, a team of CBI officials arrived at Rajeev Kumar's residence to arrest him. the drama in the case began from that point as the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the location and opposed the arrest of the Police Commissioner by the CBI. Claiming it an attack on Constitution, Mamata Banerjee sat on a night-long 'dharna'. Rajeev Kumar is currently West Bengal CID Additional Director General. The CBI started probe against Kumar after suggesting that the SIT team including Kumar has been evasive to CBI questioning regarding the missing pieces of evidence during one year of SIT probe. 

READ | BIG: Supreme Court withdraws protection from arrest to Mamata Banerjee's top cop Rajeev Kumar on CBI's plea, allows him 7 days time to approach a competent court

What is Saradha Chit fund Scam?

Saradha Chit fund scam is related to a Ponzi scheme set up by Saradha Group led by businessman Sudipto Sen in the early 2000s. A few years later, a large sum of money was raised by the Saradha group. In 2009, the fraudulent ways by which money was raised by the company started exploding. With the SEBI's actions, the scheme collapsed by 2013 and the owner fled writing a letter that accused several politicians of making poor investments. Many Trinamool MPs are speculated to be a part of the scam. 

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Updated 15:01 IST, September 14th 2019