The CBI has moved the Supreme Court seeking “custodial interrogation” of former Calcutta police chief Rajeev Kumar to “unravel the larger conspiracy and money trail” in the Saradha case.
In an affidavit in the top court, the central agency said Kumar was “evasive and non-cooperative” when examined in Shillong last month.
The CBI has urged the court to recall its February 5 order directing Kumar to cooperate while restraining the agency from resorting to any “coercive action, including arrest” of the IPS officer. The CBI wants to examine some other Bengal officers too.
Kumar could not be contacted on Saturday for his reaction to the claims by the agency. Multiple text messages sent to him did not elicit any reply.
“….in order to recover material evidence and investigate the larger conspiracy aspect….the CBI be allowed to examine Shri Rajeev Kumar and other police officers….If so necessitates, then subject them to custodial interrogation,” the CBI’s affidavit states. The matter is expected to be come up for further hearing next week.
Accusing Kumar of not-cooperating during his examination in Shillong between February 9 and 13, the CBI affidavit says: “Shri Rajeev Kumar gave elusive replies, not disclosing the reason why the SIT did not investigate other influential persons…”
“The chargesheets were filed without examining the money trail. Shree Rajeev Kumar, on being specifically asked about the motive of
not investigating the money trail, did not come up with any specific reply and only resorted to the plea that he did not look into day to day details of the investigation,” the CBI added.
The affidavit lists the following points:
- Majority of Kumar’s replies were evasive
- Kumar claimed innocence on larger criminal conspiracy
- He always gave oral orders
- Kumar has not disclosed any crucial information.
