Kolkata: Another political battle broke out between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP with both parties claiming ‘moral victory’ after the Supreme Court directed Tuesday, Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI and ‘faithfully’ cooperate
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict in a CBI plea against Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar that ordered against his arrest and termed it a ‘moral victory’..
“It is our moral victory. We said we have full respect for the judiciary and the institutions,” Banerjee told the media from the dais of her sit-in protest here.
“This order was passed earlier also that they can talk mutually in a mutual place. We are grateful for the verdict. Rajeev Kumar never said he would not cooperate. He gave five letters to the CBI asking the officials to meet him at a mutual place but they went to his house to arrest him in a secret operation without any notice. Today the court said no arrest… We welcome the verdict. It will strengthen the moral of the officials,” added.
However, when asked if her sit-in protest will continue even after the court verdict, Banerjee said she would take a decision after talking to the other opposition leaders.
“Let me talk to the leaders. I don’t go alone. I will consult the main opposition leaders of all the parties who extended their support to us,” the Trinamool Congress supremo said.
“I am grateful to the people of the country. I am grateful to all my forces including the state and central forces. We respect each other. We have no quarrel but this Modi government is creating divisions between the state and central force. This is not fair,” added Banerjee.
Meanwhile Union Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad described the Supreme Court order as a ‘moral victory’ for the probe agency.
“It is a moral victory for the CBI. The Supreme Court’s order is clear, the Kolkata Police commissioner, who was not appearing before CBI despite notices will have to appear before them now,” he told the media outside Parliament.
“The Supreme Court order has clearly stated that he will now have to appear before CBI in Shillong. The apex court has given a notice to contempt of court,” he said.
IANS