Defusing a crisis

SC intervenes in an unnecessary stand-off in Kolkata

The Supreme Court of India deserves accolades for having steered clear of the political minefield while adjudicating the dispute between the West Bengal government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the latter’s investigation of the Saradha and Rose Valley scams. In a carefully non-partisan manner, the apex court told the CBI it could not arrest Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, but also directed him to appear before the CBI at a neutral venue such as Shillong. The CBI also filed a contempt petition against the chief secretary in West Bengal and the director general of police, and the