‘I Am On Leave’: Mamata’s Former Top Cop Rajeev Kumar Evades CBI Questioning In Saradha Scam

Former Kolkata Police Commissioner and Mamata Banerjee’s close aide Rajeev Kumar skipped a meeting with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency had summoned him to appear for questioning in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam, reports India Today.

According to the report, Kumar, who is believed to be in Varanasi, informed the CBI that he is on six-day leave and would not be able to join the investigation.

"We have received a written reply through two officers of Kolkata Police. We will decide next course of action very soon," a CBI officer was quoted in the report as saying.

The report cited sources as saying that the CBI will now deliberate on whether to issue summons for the next date or take strict action against Kumar for skipping the questioning.

The agency reportedly wants custodial interrogation of Kumar, leading to the possibility of Kumar being placed under arrest if he joins the investigation.

Earlier, the SC had vacated its order granting protection from arrest to Kumar for his involvement in the Ponzi scheme called Saradha chit fund, in which lakhs of people were duped of over Rs 25,000 crore by promising higher rates of return on their investment.