Sent to custody, Trinamool leader challenges CBI to prove charges

Arrested by the CBI in the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam, Trinamool Congress leader and former director general of the West Bengal armed police Rajat Majumdar was Thursday sent to the agency's custody for five days by a court here.

Majumdar, who was hospitalised after he complained of chest pain immediately after his arrest Tuesday, was Thursday presented before a city court after he was discharged by the state-run NRS Medical College and Hospital earlier in the day.

Describing his arrest as "politically motivated", Majumdar challenged the CBI that it neither will be able to extract any confession from him nor be able to prove the charges against him.

Arguing before the court, Majumdar claimed that the CBI will not be able to prove he provided Saradha money to top Trinamool leaders.

"Why seven days, even if you get my custody for 70 days, you won't be able to get me talking. You will claim I know Mamata (Banerjee) or Mukul (Roy) but won't be able to prove it," he said.

"My arrest is politically motivated and done to apprehend bigger people," he said.

After hearing the prosecution, the court sent Majumdar to five days' CBI custody.

Later, while being taken to the CBI office, Majumdar reiterated his stand of not cooperating with the agency.

Asked by media persons if he will cooperate with the CBI, Majumdar replied "No. I have already told them whatever was to be said. There is no scope for any further cooperation."

Majumdar's name cropped up after suspended Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Kunal Ghosh, now behind bars, accused the former Indian Police Service officer of swindling crores of rupees in organising a cultural programme in Las Vegas in 2012.

Majumdar, who worked as a security advisor for the Saradha group, joined Trinamool in recent years, and served as the party's poll observer for Birbhum district for the 2013 panchayat election.

Besides being grilled multiple times, CBI sleuths raided his residence and seized many documents Aug 14.