Mamata Banerjee ends protest; calls it victory of constitution, democracy

Kolkata: Welcoming the Supreme Court's verdict in a CBI plea against Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that "it is our moral victory". She ended up her protest saying that it is victory for the Constitution and democracy, so, let us end it today.

The apex court directed Kumar to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Saradha chit fund case at a "mutual place" and asked the agency not to take any coercive action against the officer, including arrest.

"It is our moral victory. We said we have full respect for the judiciary and 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.

"Today the court said no arrest... We welcome the verdict. It will strengthen the morale of the officials," Banerjee 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 forces. This is not fair.