MamataVsCBI: SC restrains CBI from arresting Police Chief, issues notice to TMC

Kolkata: TMC-CBI tussle has got a new angle after the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, restrained the CBI from taking coercive steps against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, including arresting him. The court, however, issued notice to the West Bengal government on the CBI’s petition, and asked them to file response by February 20.

The apex court asked Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar, to cooperate with the CBI. SC also said that the Kolkata police chief cannot be arrested but he has to make available all evidence to the probing agency.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is on the third day of her 'satyagraha', protesting over the CBI's attempt to question Kolkata Police chief, Rajeev Kumar in Saradha chit fund case. The TMC leader called the Supreme Court order a "victory of democracy".

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-Police Chief, Rajeev Kumar will appear before CBI at a neutral place near Shillong.

- A bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi will hear the matter again on February 20.

-SC issues notice to Commissioner Of Police (Kolkata), DGP and West Bengal govt on contempt plea.

- CBI Joint Director Pankaj Srivastava returns Delhi after being summoned by Kolkata Police.

- The fact that paramilitary forces had to be deployed for the protection of those officers, who were diligently doing their duty, is for the first time an unprecedented view given to the citizen with regards to the state of anarchy in the West Bengal: Union Minister Smriti Irani.

- Lok Sabha adjourned till 2pm following an uproar by opposition parties over yesterday's incident in West Bengal.

- Home Minister Rajnath Singh sought report from the West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

- Supreme Court to hear CBI plea against Kolkata Police Chief, on Tuesday, CJI Says "No Evidence Right Now."

- Another political leader, Farooq Abdullah, also backed her saying, "Her (Mamata Banerjee) allegation is right. This country is in danger as its becoming dictatorial. They (Central govt) are not masters of this country, people are."

- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Raj Thackeray backs up Mamta saying, "We applaud & support the stand taken by Mamata Banerjee against the autocracy & tyranny of the Central govt. We firmly stand behind her & the fight against this tyranny."

- Mamta comes back at the dharna after taking a short break earlier this morning. The dharna began last night.

- TMC workers stage 'rail roko protest' at Midnapore Railway Station over the ongoing CBI issue.

- TMC workers burn effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Asansol over the ongoing CBI issue.

- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeks time from West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to discuss the ongoing issue.

- There is evidence against him (Rajeev Kumar), he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice: Interim CBI Chief M Nageshwar Rao.

- Protest began all across West Bengal against the Modi government by TMC party workers.

- BJP has not only venomous and nefarious agenda against opposition leaders but Indian Administrative Service and Police Officers. Might visit Kolkata tomorrow: Tejashvi Yadav.

- CBI is working as per directions of SC, no state govt has the power to obstruct or detain them: GVL Narasimha Rao.

- "Use of CBI as political tool has crossed all limits as has Modi government’s misuse of institutions," tweets National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

- Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal come in support of Mamata Banerjee.

- All five CBI officers that were detained by police at Shakespeare Sarani police station in Kolkata have been released.

- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units arrive at CBI regional office at CGO Complex in Kolkata.

- Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar is also present at Dharna point staged by Mamata Banerjee.

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress members created uproar over alleged misuse of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Centre, led to adjournment of the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm on Monday.

Though, the Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked agitated members to raise the issue during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address but, TMC members kept on shouting slogans like "Save the Constitution" and moved towards the Well.

Following which Naidu adjourned the House till 2 pm.

On Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had lashed out at the Narendra Modi government saying that the Centre is destroying institutions in the country and CBI officers are acting on the Prime Minister's orders. She has also begun a dharna near the Metro Cinema in central Kolkata.

Mamata said, "If they (Modi Government) want to impose President rule in the state, we are ready for it."

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Praveen Tripathi, Joint Commissioner Crime, Kolkata Police said, "A team of CBI officers came without any papers for what they called a 'secret operation'. When asked what the operation was about, they could not give a satisfactory response."

Mamata Banerjee was addressing the media after a high voltage drama outside the residence of Kolkata Police Chief Rajeev Kumar where police detained CBI officers who arrived there to question the city police chief. "How can CBI officials come to Kolkata police chief's home without a warrant," asked Mamata Banerjee.

She said, "After five years since scam came to light, CBI is acting now. This is just before 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Ajit Doval implementing PM Modi's nefarious designs."

"I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today I am going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow proceedings in state assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha," said Mamata Banerjee.

She said, "This is humiliation of police chief. I condemn it strongly and urge all the forces of India including Indian Army, CRPF, CISF and others to unite and raise your voice against this act."

Earlier, in a high-voltage drama outside the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in a Ponzi scam cases, the Kolkata Police has detained CBI officers who arrived there to question the city police chief. This lead to a scuffle between the cops and CBI officials.

Some CBI officers who were taken to police station from outside Kumar's residence have been arrested.

A day after the CBI claimed that Kumar had been "absconding" and "being looked for" in connection with Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi scam cases, a team of 40-odd agency officers arrived at his residence this evening, but they were stopped by sentries and officials.