CBI vs Mamata Banerjee Live Updates: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today released papers dating back to 2013 relating to the Rose Valley scam to claim that even leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party are involved in the case. The CM further said that scams took place when the Left Front government was in power and that it was her government which probed the case. Asserting that it was wrong to blame the TMC government for involvement, Mamata said that it was her government which recovered Rs 200 crore from the accused, and returned the money to the poor victims. She further alleged that a senior minister in the Assam government is also involved in the ponzi fund scam
The BJP also took a dig at Banerjee asking her to introspect, after the Supreme Court asked Kolkata Police Chief Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI before February 20 in a case related to Rose Valley and Saradha chit fund scams. It also refrained the agency from arresting him.
Addressing the media hours after the verdict, Union Textile Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani said, “The SC, while directing the commissioner of police to be present in a neutral place in Shillong, indicated that they do not expect such fairness in West Bengal. It should be a matter for introspection for Mamata.” The saffron party, while hailing the decision of the top court, said that the Kolkata Police top cop will have to appear before the probe agency.
Earlier today, the CBI appeared before the apex court and filed an affidavit that said, “Investigation was being done by SIT and crucial evidence such as laptops, mobile phones etc were handed over to the main accused in Saradha scam case by the investigating officer of WB police working under direct supervision of Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar,” it said.
CM Mamata Banerjee continues to stay on a dharna for the third consecutive day since Sunday after CBI sleuths reached Kumar’s residence to interrogate him on missing files in chit fund cases. Following this, the Kolkata Police claimed that officials had visited the top cop’s residence without proper documents. Some CBI officials were also arrested who were later released.
Also Read: Who is Rajeev Kumar and why does CBI want to quiz Kolkata Police Commissioner?
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday after 3 days of Dharna, ended her protest and called the Supreme Court's verdict a victory for Constitution and Democracy. She further went on to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to resign from Delhi and go back to Gujarat.
While talking about Supreme Court verdict, the West Bengal Chief Minister said that the apex court today gave a positive judgement. The WB CM now plans to take the issue up in New Delhi next week.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ended her 'dharna', says that this dharna is the victory for the Constitution and democracy, so 'let us end it today.'
Smriti Irani after the verdict of Supreme Court on Tuesday took a dig at the West Bengal CM saying that Mamata Banerjee's political histrionics have been brought to a screeching halt by the Apex Court. This statement by the Union Minister came after SC directed Kolkata police chief to cooperate in the Saradha chit fund scam probe with the CBI.
'This (West Bengal) government is embroiled in undemocratic and unconstitutional activities and that is the reason why a 'sanyasi' and 'yogi' like me is not being allowed to step on the soil of Bengal,' Yogi Adityanath tells ANI.
'The SC, while directing the CP to be present in a neutral place in Shillong, indicated that they do not expect such fairness in West Bengal. It should be matter for introspection for Mamata,' added Smriti Irani
'Today, I am assured that apart from BJP, 20 lakh poor victims of the chit fund scam will join and convey our gratitude to the Supreme Court,' says BJP leader and Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani on Supreme Court verdict
Sitaram Yechury today said the Supreme Court order has suggested that both the BJP and the TMC were hand in gloves in 'sharing the spoils' of the pinzi scam. The CPI(M) general secretary said he did not find anything wrong in the way the CBI is probing tha scam the scam in Kolkata. 'In this instance when the judiciary orders the CBI to investigate a case, the CBI's movement in the investigation into any state or territory cannot be construed as an attack on the authority or the powers of the state government,' he told reporters as per Indian Express.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have threated bandh in West Bengal if Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's rally is stopped in Purulia, a report by India Today said. He is scheduled to reach Purulia by road from Jharkhand's Bokaro.
'You can see democracy is being murdered. Anybody from any political party can go anywhere in country. CM of an elected govt of largest state isn't being permitted to land there&address rally but he'll go via Jharkhand. People of Purulia are waiting for him,' ANI quotes Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das as saying.
'No one from TMC has been in contact with us for at least a year.Our party statement yesterday had to do with events in our state. We would like CBI to do a professional&non political job,' Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik when asked whether he had any communication with his West Bengal counterpart on the issue of CBI.
Addressing the crowd at protest site in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee also lashed out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his visit to West Bengal. In her remark, Banerjee asked her UP counterpart to take of Uttar Pradesh first. She added that Adityanath will lose election if he enters the fray. 'So many people have been killed, even police were murdered... so many people were lynched, he himself will lose if he contests elections. He doesn’t have a place to stand in UP that’s why he's roaming around in Bengal,' she said.
Mamata Banerjee has warned the Modi government against interfering in her state. 'Don't mess with me," Banerjee told the crowd at the protest site Kolkata. The CM also said that she will given documents to media to find the truth.
By 2009, several politicians had started taking about the fraudulent ways of Saradha to collect money from investors. Several top TMC MPs, leaders were linked to the group. Noted TMC leader Satabdi Roy and Bollywood star Mithun Chakraborty were Saradha’s brand ambassadors. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh was appointed CEO of the media group in which Saradha invested Rs 988 crore. Another TMC leader Srinjoy Bose was involved in the Saradha Group’s media operations. Madan Mitra who was then Transport minister, was heading the Saradha Group’s employees’ union. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Businessman Sudipto Sen had in early 2000s set up Saradha Group. The company promised high returns for small investments. It raised over Rs 2,500 crore in just a few years. The company expanded its footprints in other states like Assam, Tripura and Odisha. At one time it had a strong investors base of 17 lakh. The trouble started when SEBI in 2009 raised red flag. In 2013, the SEBI asked Saradha not to accept money from investors. The same year, SEBI asked Saradha to stop the scheme and the company collapsed. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over latest crisis in West Bengal. Speaking to ANI, Kejriwal said that PM Modi is trying to create problems for Mamata Banerjee. "He is making everyone suffer," the AAP leader said, adding that the raids at his residence was carried out at the behest of Modi. "This is not right, it is dangerous for the country," he said.
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The Trinamool Congress supremo has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of trying to plot a 'coup' in the state and alleged that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is directing the CBI to 'harass' political opponents on the orders of the PM.
BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya Tuesday thanked the Supreme Court for directing Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI, saying it was a "victory of democracy" and demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The apex court Tuesday directed Kumar to make himself available before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate with the agency in the investigation of cases arising out of the Saradha chit fund scam probe. "The SC verdict is a victory of democracy. Mamata Banerjee should immediately tender resignation," Vijayvergiya told PTI. The apex court also said that no coercive steps, including the arrest of the Kolkata Police chief, will take place during the course of the investigation.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is quoted by ANI as saying, "Constitution permits all political parties to present their stand before the public. Who is Mamata Ji scared of? I have a rally in Berhampore tomorrow but I have been informed that the permission for my chopper's landing&rally's venue has not been given".
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Tuesday alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had put democracy in peril in West Bengal and sought to know if Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar was an office bearer of her party TMC. Maurya's remarks came in the backdrop of Banerjee staging a "Save India" dharna (sit-in) in Kolkata since Sunday night insisting that the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams was tantamount to stifling the spirit of "Constitution and federalism" in the country.
Ravi Shankar Prasad as per ANI, "This order was given by SC to investigate the conspiracy angle & also money laundering angle. This investigation must be done in a fair manner. Let's not politicise it. This is a great moral victory for CBI".
"Today we've to ask larger questions on behalf of the party. Lakhs of small investors were cheated&looted off their money. Is it not our moral obligation for an investigation? Why is Mamata ji silent on this? Why are the other political parties silent on this?" Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is quoted as saying by ANI
"Let me talk to my leaders, I don’t go alone. Today Chandrababu Naidu is also coming, I will consult other leaders also. I will also consult Naveen Patnaik Ji, then I will let you know," Mamata Banerjee said when asked whether she will leave dharna now.
Commenting on SC judgement she added, "But what they started doing? They wanted to arrest him. They went to his house, on a secret operation, on Sunday, without any notice. That court said ‘no arrest’. We are so obliged. It will strengthen the morale of the officers".
"Rajeev Kumar never said he will not be available. He said we want to meet at mutual place,if you want to ask for any clarification, you can come and we can sit" , Mamata Banerjee, says from dharna site.
Reacting to Supreme Court today, Mamata Banerjee said, "Our case very strong. We never said we will not cooperate. Its a moral victory". She added that the state government will follow the order. She added that the Centre did not follow protocol.
In a major boost for CBI, the Supreme Court has asked Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar to appear before the probe agency in connection with missing files in chit fund scams. It issued a notice to Kumar and West Bengal Government on contempt of court.
CBI has filed affidavit in the Supreme Court saying there are several incriminating material/correspondence that was collected during the probe by the agency against the senior cops senior politicians.
'With bad intention & by keeping election in mind, they are (Centre) misusing the power & conducted raid at Commissioner's house. Mamata Banerjee opposed it by saying this is part of political vendetta,' Siddharamaiah is quoted as saying by ANI.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a plea filed by CBI seeking directions to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to surrender all required files in chit fund scam to it or appear before it. The top had decided to hear the plea today morning.
The BJP slammed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's dharna yesterday. Addressing a press conference, senior BJP leader and Union Minister wondered whether it was a crime to probe corruption. A number of other party leaders also suggested the president's rule in the state.
Actress Indrani Haldar, who is also with the Trinamool Congress met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the latter's dharma which has entered the third day today. She is protesting against Centre's alleged interventions in public institutions.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sit -in enters third successive day today. She is on a dharna since last Sunday after CBI officials reached Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence to probe him on missing files in chit fund scam. Banerjee is protesting against Centre's alleged interference in public institutions.
Yogi Adityanath’s helicopter will be landing in Bokaro, Jharkhand. From there, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister will be going to Purulia in West Bengal by road to address a public rally later today.
'We're all together to save this country and protect democracy.There's attack on democratic institutions.A month before elections, they went to Commissioner of Police and harassed him. It's totally undemocratic,' Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu is quoted as saying by ANI.
Rajeev Kumar is the currently serving as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police. He is a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal. Rajeev Kumar was appointed as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police in 2016, replacing Surajit Kar Purakayastha. Purakayastha was promoted to CID. Before being appointed as Kolkata Police Commissioner, Kumar had worked as Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate and as Special Task Force (STF) chief under Kolkata Police. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Monday sent a detailed report to New Delhi after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called for it, and central paramilitary force troopers kept strict vigil at the CBI offices.
DMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday visited Kolkata to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is on a dharna since Sunday night against CBI's attempt to quiz Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. The Kolkata Police chief is accused of not joining the CBI probe and destroying evidence in chit fund scams.
Latest visuals from the site of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's dharna near Metro Channel in Kolkata.