Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court vacated Friday its order granting protection from arrest to former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam.
The court also rejected Rajeev Kumar’s prayer for quashing of a CBI notice that sought his appearance for questioning in the case.
Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the West Bengal CID Additional Director General, was part of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to investigate the scam before the Supreme Court handed over the case to the CBI in 2014, along with other chit fund cases.
The Saradha group of companies has allegedly duped lakhs of people to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore, promising higher rates of returns on their investments.
In its ruling Justice Madhumati Moitra said that the ex-Kolkata top cop should cooperate with CBI whenever he is asked to do so. In his plea to quash the CBI’s case against him, Rajeev Kumar had said that the probe agency had no jurisdiction to interrogate him. However, Justice Moitra said that to get the proper details of the Saradha scam, the CBI has every right to question Kumar whenever it wants to.
The only relief that Rajeev Kumar can hope for is now to move the Supreme Court. However, with the apex court remaining closed Saturday and Sunday, Kumar will not be able to file his plea.
CBI sources on the other hand informed that summons would be sent Friday evening to Rajeev Kumar. He will be asked to appear before the officers of the probe agency, Saturday itself. If he fails to do so, then the procedure will be initiated to arrest him.
Agencies