CJI Ranjan Gogoi has said the Supreme Court will hear the matter tomorrowafter the CBI approached the apex court seeking directions to Kolkata PoliceCommissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in Saradha chitfund case.
The top court asked CBI to bring proof against Kumar after Solicitor GeneralTushar Mehta, appearing for CBI said that the Kolkata Police Commissioner wasdestroying evidence in Sardha case.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sat on an overnight 'Save theConstitution' dharna at Kolkata's Metro Channel late from Sunday, 3 February,along with Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar as the state plunged intoan unprecedented crisis.
This came after a CBI team came to the Kolkata police chief's residence toquestion him in connection with ponzi scam cases, but was detained by the statepolice. The team was later released.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi and several other Opposition leaders onSunday extended their full support to Mamata.
Snapshot
- SC has asked CBI to bring evidence against Rajeev Kumar when it hears the matter tomorrow
- Mamata likely to hold meetings at dharna spot before going to Assembly to present Budget
- CRPF units are at the CBI regional office at CGO Complex in Kolkata
SC To Hear Matter Tomorrow, Seeks Evidence against Rajeev Kumar
SC will hear the matter tomorrow, says CJI Gogoi. He has asked CBI to show proof against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar after the investigating agency said that he was destroying electronic evidence.
CBI Office Was Under Siege, Says Solicitor General
"The CBI office was under siege" says Solictor General Tushar Mehta.
Supreme Court Bench Presided by CJI Ranjan Gogoi Hears Case
The CJI now hearing the mentioning by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is representing the CBI
Kolkata Police Chief Created Hurdles in Investigation: CBI in Court
CBI in its petition has said that Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation, reports news agency.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to Represent CBI in Court
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will be representing the CBI in the case while Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi will represent the West Bengal government. The matter will be mentioned before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and his court at 10:30 am.
CBI has filed an application asking court to direct West Bengal government to co-operate.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Gives Notice for Discussion on 'Misuse of CBI'
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has given notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 for suspension of business, demanding discussion on 'misuse of CBI', reports news agency ANI.
Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar Leaves Dharna Site
Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has left the dharna site after meeting Mamata this morning.
TMC Supporters Stage Protest in Parts of WB
Trinamool Congress supporters have blocked roads and staging protests in Tarkeshwar, Gangajalghati and Chinsurah on West Bengal,
Will Draft Action Plan for Nationwide Movement: Chandrababu Naidu
“We will hold discussions with Opposition party leaders in Delhi today and draft an action plan on a nationwide movement,” news agency ANI quotes Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.
Naidu also said TDP MPs will strongly protest along with other Opposition leaders today.
Mamata Continues Dharna on Monday Morning
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continues dharna over CBI issue after a short break early morning. She sat on dharna at Metro channel in Kolkata all through Sunday night.
CBI to Seek SC Order Directing WB Govt to 'Co-operate'
Sources suggest CBI will file an interlocutory application in Supreme Court around 10.30 am seeking direction to WB Govt ‘to cooperate’ with chit fund scam probe and not to impede the probe.
A contempt petition against WB police has also been reportedly drafted and sent to Attorney General KK Venugopal’s office for necessary approval.
Once approved, a separate contempt petition will also be filed, say sources.
Mamata Banerjee Sits on Dharna All Night
Mamata at the dharna spot on Monday morning. She has been sitting on a dharna since Sunday night.(Photo: ANI)
BJP Delegation to Meet Election Commission on Bengal Issue
BJP high level delegation including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Bhupendra Yadav will meet Election Commission on Monday, 4 February on the West Bengal issue.
Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar skipped a meeting with the Election Commission officials last week, stating that he was on a casual leave.
Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy Supports Mamata
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy tweeted to pledge support to Mamta Banerjee, terming the happenings as ‘attack on state's federal rights’
Mamata Might Go To Assembly for Budget
Reports suggest Mamata will convene pre-budget meetings at the dharna spot before heading to the Assembly to present the Budget.
Have Gathered Information Chief Secy and DGP: West Bengal Guv
West Bengal Governor KN Tripathy said that he has gathered information about the situation from Chief Secretary and DGP of the state. He also said that the CBI has not yet sought an appointment with him.
TMC Supporters Assemble At Mamata's Dharna Spot
Visuals from near Metro Channel where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee isholding her ‘Save the Constitution’ Dharna over the ongoing CBI issue.
Will Continue Satyagraha Till Country is Saved: Mamta Banerjee, 8 Hours Into Protest
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who began a sit-in protest over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams, said on Monday she will continue her "Satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved".
The chief minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night on a makeshift dais along with some senior ministers and party members.
"This is a Satyagraha and I'll continue till the country is saved," Banerjee told reporters who accompanied her at the place of dharna.
TMC Calls for Protest Rallies across WB on Monday
As the Chief Minister’s ‘Save the Democracy’ dharna continued post midnight on Sunday, the TMC tweeted out her call for protest rallies to be organised in a “peaceful and democratic manner” across the state, between 2-4 pm on Monday, 4 February.
They also asked those protesting to carry black badges and black flags to "register their protest”.
Late Night Visuals From Mamata's 'Dharna'
CM Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Save the Constitution’ dharna at Metro channel, which began at 9 pm, continued overnight as floodlights lit the venue and preparations are underway for the Assembly session on Monday, 4 February.
Latest visuals from Mamata’s dharna.
TMC Workers Hold 'Rail Roko' Protests at Rishra, Midnapore
TMC workers held several ‘rail roko’ protests in different parts of West Bengal, including Rishra town and Midnapore district.
‘Rail-roko’ protests in Rishra.
‘Rail-roko’ protests in Midnapore.
Abhishek Singhvi to Represent West Bengal Government in SC
Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who called the antipathy of Modi and Shah towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as "visceral", will be representing the West Bengal government in the Supreme Court when the matter will be up on Monday, at 10:30 am.
Singhvi confirmed the news on Twitter, as he responded to a Times Now report of the same, with relevant hashtags like #MamataBanerjee #RajeevKumar #WestBengal #MamataVsCBI #Kolkata.
'Cong Stands Shoulder to Shoulder with Mamata Di': Rahul Gandhi
The Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday night said that the Congress stands ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Mamata Banerjee amid the West Bengal government-CBI showdown.
The Congress chief tweeted saying this is an attack on the country’s institutions by PM Modi and BJP.
His tweet came after Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over the phone.
His tweet came Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over the phone.
CBI to Approach Supreme Court on 4 February
The Central Bureau of Investigation will approach the Supreme Court on Monday, 4 February, CBI Interim Director M Nageshwar Rao confirmed. The agency said that it will ask the apex court to intervene as the West Bengal police is not cooperating.
Rahul Gandhi Expresses Solidarity with Mamata Banerjee
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has reportedly expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over the phone amid the West Bengal government-CBI showdown.
TMC Workers Stage Protest in Asansol, Burn PM Modi's Effigy
Staging a protest in Asansol over the ongoing CBI issue, TMC workers burnt an effigy of PM Modi.
'If They Want to Impose President's Rule, We are ready for it': Mamata Banerjee
Speaking on the possibility of the Centre trying to impose President's rule in the state, Mamata Banerjee reportedly said, "If they want to impose President’s Rule, we are ready for it.”
CBI Seeks Time from WB Governor to Discuss Ongoing Crisis
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought time from the West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to discuss the ongoing crisis in the state, reported ANI.
'Might Visit Kolkata Tomorrow': Tejashwi Yadav Extends Support
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday extended support to Mamata Banerjee amid the stand-off between the West Bengal government and the CBI.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is also likely reach Kolkata on Monday.
Banerjee said several leaders of opposition parties have called her up to extend their support and solidarity towards her "fight to protect the Constitution".
"Leaders of various opposition parties including Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Chandrababu Naidu, Omar Abdullah, Ahmed Patel, MK Stalin had called me to extend their solidarity and support," she said at the venue of her sit-in demonstration.
'Bizarre, Anti-Democracy, Like Emergency': Opposition Leaders
Opposition leaders, including AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and JD(S)‘s HD Devegowda, slammed the Modi government over the developments in West Bengal and expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee.
CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the tussle between TMC and BJP “is not a fight for any principle but only to save their corrupt and hide their corruption”.
'There is Evidence against Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar': Interim CBI Chief
Interim CBI chief Nageshwar Rao told ANI that there is evidence against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, but "he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice".
“We are investigating these chit fund cases as per the directions of the SC. An SIT has been constituted by the West Bengal government prior to SC’s direction under the chairmanship of Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the Kolkata police commissioner.”
He further claimed that the SIT under Rajeev Kumar has taken charge of all the evidence and seized all the documents.
“They have not been cooperating with us in handing over all the documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear.”
'Contacting Our Senior Law Officers about the Kolkata Incident': Interim CBI Chief
Speaking after the showdown between the CBI and the Kolkata Police on Sunday, the former’s interim chief Nageshwar Rao told ANI, “We are contacting our senior law officers about the Kolkata incident. Whatever they suggest will be followed.”
'Modi, Amit Shah Have to go; Otherwise Constitution is in Danger': Derek O'Brien
Slamming Amit Shah and PM Modi for "political vendetta", TMC leader Derek O'Brien said:
“Modi has to go, Amit Shah has to go, otherwise the Constitution is in danger, institutions are in danger and the country is in danger. Mamata has fought many battles before and another one starts tonight at 9 pm.”
The Rajya Sabha MP claimed that 40 CBI officials landed at the police commissioner's residence in Kolkata on Sunday.
“They don’t even have a search warrant. The perpetrators are actually Modi, Shah and Ajit Doval, I heard it from my sources and I say this with full responsibility.”
TMC leader Derek O’Brien, as quoted by ANI
He further stated that the TMC has spoken to all the like-minded parties and given them an update about all that has happened.
Detained CBI Officers Released
The CBI officers who were detained on Sunday have been released. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has reached the Shakespeare Sarani police station where they were held.
Mamata Banerjee to Sit on Dharna after Unprecedented CBI-Kolkata Police Showdown
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced that she is going to stage a dharna in protest after the unprecedented showdown between the CBI and Kolkata Police on Sunday.
“I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today, I’m going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow, proceedings in the state Assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha.”
Backing Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar, she said he "is the best in the world".
“I will stand with my force. I respect them. I felt very sad today. This is the destruction of the federal structure... I am proud to say that my responsibility is to give protection to the force. Without notice, you are coming to Kolkata Police Commissioner’s house. We could have arrested the CBI (team), but we left.
'BJP is Torturing Bengal': Mamata Banerjee After CBI-Police Showdown
Addressing the media after the West Bengal police detained the CBI team in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee said:
“BJP is torturing Bengal. They are forcibly trying to destroy Bengal just because I did the brigade rally. Yesterday, you saw the language of PM where he threatened.”
'Kolkata Police Commissioner among the Best in the World': Mamata
Earlier on Sunday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the Kolkata Police commissioner "among the best in the world", as she attacked the BJP leadership for "doing the worst kind of political vendetta".
Why Did the CBI Team Reach Kolkata Police Commissioner's Residence?
The CBI had been trying to locate Kumar to question him in connection with Rose Valley and Saradha ponzi scam cases. Reports suggested that the agency was planning on arresting him as the last resort.
The IPS officer, who led a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal Police probing the scams, needed to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he had not responded to notices to appear before the agency, officials said, according to PTI.
When the CBI team reached Kumar's residence on Sunday, it was stopped outside by officials and sentries, they said.
Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, did not even attend a meeting with Election Commission officials who had gone to Kolkata to review election preparedness, sources said.
A statement was issued on Sunday from the Kolkata Police, dismissing reports of him being missing from work.
“Please take note that not only is the CP Kolkata available in the city, but has also been attending office on a regular basis, with the exception of 31 January 2019, when he was on leave for a day. All concerned may please take note that if any news is spread without proper verification, Kolkata Police will initiate strict legal action against defamation of both the CP Kolkata and Kolkata Police.”