Dramatic CBI vs Kolkata Police face-off spirals out of control, Mamata Banerjee sits on dharna and CBI mulls moving Supreme Court: 10 developments

Drama of the highest order broke out on Sunday night in Kolkata as a CBI team's arrival at the residence of purportedly 'missing' Kolkata Police CP Rajeev Kumar spiralled to an extent where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is now sitting on a dharna and recieving proclamations of support from various opposition leaders, while the probe agency is mulling approaching the Supreme Court over its officers having been arrested. 

Here are ten things you need to know:

1. The matter had been simmering since earlier this morning, as the Kolkata Police issued a strong statement dismissing claims that its commissioner of police Rajeev Kumar had gone 'missing' in light of the CBI seeking to probe him in connection with the Saradha scam, which Kumar had investigated as the head of the SIT till the Supreme Court handed the case to the CBI. Alongside the Kolkata Police, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also issued a statement backing Rajeev Kumar in the strongest possible terms, calling him the "best in the world."

2. Matters reached a head as a CBI team reached the residence of Rajeev Kumar on Sunday evening. They were stopped from entering by the Kolkata police security which inquired whether they had a warrant. As the CBI and the Kolkata police faced-off, the CBI team was told that Rajeev Kumar wasn't present. At this point, a part of the team headed to the Shakespeare Sarani Police station, which has jurisdiction over the area of the Kolkata CP's residence, even as more police personnel arrived.

3. In quick-fire developments, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made her way to the epicentre of the flashpoint, just as the CBI team was detained and taken to the Shakespeare Sarani Police station. 

4. Upon her arrival, a quick meeting was held at Rajeev Kumar's residence, even as a number of political leaders began to wade into the burgeoning controversy, with the Opposition expressing its support for Mamata Banerjee. Senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien called it an attempt at a 'constitutional coup'.

News also broke at this point that the Kolkata Police was planning on filing a FIR in the matter. 

5. Mamata Banerjee addressed the media outside Rajeev Kumar's residence, even as top CBI sources said to Republic TV that the officers did have a warrant and also revealed that they suspected that documents were being destroyed in the commissioner's office and residence. At this point, as per sources, the CBI was considering approaching the Governor of the state. 

In her address, Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack at the Modi government, alleging that this was being done with the elections in mind. She denied that there was any wrongdoing by her government in the Saradha scam, putting forth that it was her government that had initiated a probe in the matter and had ensured that money bwas returned to the people who had been scammed. She then announced that she would be sitting on a Dharna immediately against the events of the night, but an even bigger reveal was Rajeev Kumar then appearing from his residence and then promptly returning inside.

6. Minutes after Republic Bharat's newsbreak wherein top CBI sources confirmed that Rajeev Kumar had destroyed evidence, Interim CBI Boss Nageshwar Rao said to ANI that "There is evidence against him (Rajeev Kumar), he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice" and "They have taken charge of all the evidence, seized all the documents. They have not been cooperating with us in handing over all the documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear."

7. As more and more politicans waded into the fray, with Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, former PM HD Deve Gowda, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MK Stalin, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and others chiming in with Mamata Banerjee's claims of 'constitutional coup', others, such as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (who had taken Mamata Banerjee on earlier in the day following permission for his rally being denied), Rakesh Sinha taking her on for impeding a probe ordered for by the Supreme Court, with the latter even seeking Governor's rule in the state.

8. Top sources revealed to Republic Bharat that top CBI brass were huddled in a meeting with government law officers and were considering moving the Supreme Court, with the apex court's registry even being informed. Republic Bharat then accessed details of the CBI's application to the Supreme Court. Interim CBI chief Nageshwar Rao has confirmed that the application will be filed on Monday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is likely to appear for the CBI, while Abhishek Manu Singhvi may appear for the West Bengal government.

9. In a quite extraordinary and emotional appeal from the spot of her Dharna, with under-spotlight Rajeev Kumar also joining in, Mamata Banerjee said that she was ready to die if it meant saving democracy:

"We are protesting to save democracy. To stop the hooliganism... we respect the constitution... all institutes.. Supreme Court... 

We are protesting to save democracy. We respect agencies and court."
 
"Attempts are made to destroy all the forces, they have destroyed institutions. 

I thank all political parties who have supported us. This is a super emergency. I will not allow a super emergency."

"Tomorrow they will do the same with the some other states. I can't let this happen. Our confidence is with the people of India, all the citizens and media and judiciary. It is an appeal to save India, save constitution, save democracy. Modiji has gone mad."

"Please pay respect to our forces and constitution. I am ready to sacrifice my life, not afraid to die, but I will save the country."

"Shortly after that, in a remarkable development, the Kolkata police also joined in the dharna, even as the Governor of the state ordered the CRPF to protect all central government installations."

10. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV and Republic Bharat, Interim CBI Director said:

"The Joint Director has informed me that the officers went and knocked on his(Rajeev Kumar) door and he has a threat of arrest."

We will apprise the Supreme Court as to what has happened. The investigation that we are doing is on directions of the Supreme Court. The plea is about what has happened since investigation we are doing is on the guidance of SC."

"It is very important to know the larger conspiracy angle which the Supreme Court directed should be specially looked into."

"He(Rajeev Kumar) was heading the inquiry that collected a lot of evidence. We need to know where it has gone. Where are the call records? Rajeev Kumar needs to be investigated so that he gives all answers. I cannot comment more on the larger conspiracy."

"Custodial interrogation (of Rajeev Kumar) will be a later step. First we need to examine and interrogate him."

"I cannot comment on dharna. The highest court of the country has directed us. It is the duty of every authority and every govt to cooperate."

"This is a part of the investigation. We will apprise the Supreme Court. We cannot file an FIR on our own."

"We request that the state police authorities to cooperate with us so that we are able to comprehensively conduct an investigation."

"There is no pressure. We are simply conducting investigation as per the directions of the Supreme Court. As per Section 165 no search warrant is required."