This is being done to satisfy 'one senior leader': Rajeev Kumar to former CBI chief

Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, who is currently under CBI radar in connection with the Saradha Chit fund scam, had in 2017 informed then CBI Director Alok Verma that all investigations in the case are being done to satisfy a senior leader of a political party.

A major drama erupted on Sunday after West Bengal police prevented the CBI from detaining Rajeev Kumar and detained five officials of the central investigative agency.

A team of CBI investigators who arrived at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence in connection with Saradha Chit fund scam were not allowed to enter the residence. The CBI team was later released.

In his letter dated October 27, 2017, Rajeev Kumar told Verma, "No effort was made by investigating agency to seek answer to any doubt, which they might have had, about the role of investigation officer or supervising officers."

"It will not be out of place to mention that two inspectors who were associated with investigation of this case were example under Section 160 of CrPC. Surprisingly no other senior officer has been sent such notice. Next notice has been sent to the undersigned," Kumar mentioned in the letter to Verma.

He added, "I would like to bring to your notice the fact that about a year ago one public comment was made by one senior leader of a political party, against which a criminal and civil defamation case was filed. There are strong reasons to believe that this is being done to satisfy the gentleman."

Kumar stated in the letter that if "Commissioners of Police are served notices under Section 160 of CrPC notices in c/w cases which were supervised by them without even trying to make basic correspondence or ascertaining the exact circumstances is like opening Pandora's Box."

"I am in no way suggesting that investigation in all aspects of case should not be done, but basic decorum of service needs to be maintained. In case, if the investigating agency is not satisfied with written reply given by the officer concerned, right to serve notice under Section 160 of CrPC always exists," he added.

In 2017, Kumar had even requested Verma to "get the material/evidence collected by investigating officer on this case by an another senior officer who is not part of the present team, investigating the case, which am afraid, seems to be pursuing an agenda rather than carrying out unbiased investigation."

The Saradha Group financial scandal was a major scam caused by the collapse of a Ponzi scheme run by the conglomerate. The multi-crore-rupee chit fund scam allegedly involves several key leaders.