A number of Central Bureau of Investigation officers, who had gone to question Kolkata Police Chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases, were bundled into police jeeps, whisked to a police station and detained, officials said.
Amid escalating tensions between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Centre, Loudon Street in central Kolkata witnessed a virtual showdown between the state police and the CBI.
There were conflicting reports about some CBI officers being arrested.
Kolkata: West Bengal Director General of Police arrives at the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also present there, a meeting is currently underway. pic.twitter.com/oLtLWf3ZnZ
February 3, 2019While the agency sources claimed that some of its men were forcibly taken away from Kumar's Loudon Street residence and arrested, a senior police officer denied the claim and said they have been taken to the police station to check if they had required documents to question Kumar.
As politics played out on the street, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot. She had earlier extended her support to Kumar and alleged that the BJP was "misusing power to take control of the police and all other institutions".
BJP planning a constitutional coup ? 40 CBI officials surround Kolkata Police Commissioner's home. Destruction of institutions goes on unabated. Our demand in #Parliament on Mon. Modi has to go. We are reaching out and sharing this with all Oppn parties who want to #SaveDemocracy
February 3, 2019West Bengal Director General of Police Virendra and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma too reached Kumar's residence.
In a tit-for-tat move, a team of Kolkata Police officials reached the CGO Complex- the state headquarters of CBI.
The fast-paced development started unfolding as soon as a team of 40-odd agency officers arrived at Kumar's residence this evening, but they were stopped by sentries and officials.
A day earlier, the CBI claimed that Kumar had been "absconding" and "being looked for" in connection with Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi scam cases.
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