Kolkata Police-CBI face-off LIVE: Mamata govt approaches Calcutta High court; hearing tomorrow

Banerjee, one of the prime movers behind the effort to cobble together an anti-BJP alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant.

बैकग्राउंड

New Delhi: After an all-out war broke out between Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government on Sunday evening, CBI sources said the agency will move the Supreme Court on Monday, claiming its probe in ponzi scams was being obstructed by the West Bengal government and the state police. While calls and messages to interim CBI chief M Nageswar Rao, whose appointment is under challenge in the Supreme Court, remained unanswered, sources confirmed that the agency will move the Supreme Court on Monday to present their case.The fast-paced development started unfolding as soon as a team of 40-odd agency officers arrived at Kumar's residence at Loudon Street in central Kolkata this afternoon, but they were stopped by sentries and officials.The team had gone to question Kumar in connection with chit fund scam cases.As the CBI team landed at his residence, a team of Kolkata Police officers rushed to the spot to speak to the CBI officials and tried to enquire if they had the documents required for questioning Kumar.Later on, a small team of CBI officials was taken to Shakespeare Sarani police station for further discussions. Thereafter, more men arrived at the spot and a commotion ensued. Some CBI officers were then forcibly bundled into police jeeps and taken to the police station.The detention of the team by the local police perplexed the agency top brass here as the CBI does not have any full time chief to take call in such politically sensitive matters. Recently appointed Director R K Shukla is yet to take reins of the agency.The CBI has been probing cases allegedly involving opposition leaders like illegal mining case and the Saradha scam in which it was seeking to question the Kolkata police chief. The probe was handed over to the CBI by the Supreme Court.In a dramatic showdown with the Modi government, a furious Banerjee, wrapped in a brown woollen shawl, began a sit-in right in front of the Metro Cinema to protest "insults" she faced at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.Banerjee, one of the prime movers behind the effort to cobble together an anti-BJP alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, claimed the CBI knocked on the doors of Kumar without a search warrant.She alleged they want to impose President's rule in whatever states the opposition is in power."I can assure....I am ready to die but I am not ready to bow down before the Modi government and we won't allow imposition of Emergency...please save India, save democracy, save the Constitution," she said.Banerjee asked all opposition parties to unite to bring down the Modi government and, in a rare exhortation by a political leader, called upon personnel of security forces of the Centre and states, besides the Army, to "condemn" the attitude of the Modi government.In a tit-for-tat move, a team of Kolkata Police officials also cordoned off the CGO Complex- the state headquarters of CBI.CBI officer Srivastava said, "I have also been detained and there are police officers standing outside my house."Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pravin Tripathi said the CBI officers have been let go from the police station after questioning.

04/02/2019 13:49:13

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on CBI action in West Bengal:These things can only be explained by people who are doing it. I don’t react to such things.CBI&the govt in question will explain. Until the Election Commission announces the date of elections, anything can happen in the country.

04/02/2019 13:47:51

West Bengal government approaches Calcutta High court over the ongoing tussle with CBI and centre.

04/02/2019 13:42:35

This isn't a good development. I think central govt must behave properly&take confidence of state govts. Central govt is misusing constitutional institutions. It's not good for future. How central govt is behaving with opposition leaders is disastrous: Karnataka CM on CBI issue

04/02/2019 13:41:14

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti extends support to Mamata, says "Manner in which constitutional institutions in this country, like CBI, are being misused to settle scores with opponents is unfortunate...We stand with Mamata ji. If institutions continue being discredited like this federal structure will be fractured".

04/02/2019 13:14:15

BJP delegation including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi & Bhupendra Yadav meet Election Commission on West Bengal issue. Speaking to media after EC, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said "In interest of wanting free & fair environment in which LS polls can be conducted,we have come to bring to the notice of EC certain happenings in WB which has complete cooperation of TMC.Instances we highlighted point out that TMC doesn't believe in democracy"

04/02/2019 13:11:52

Whatever central govt did in West Bengal is very dangerous, against constitution & democracy...Every state has an elected govt, if PM sends CBI & ED like this & try to scare the officers then this country will not be safe.

04/02/2019 13:11:19

Union Minister Smriti Irani: 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 th

04/02/2019 12:19:44

Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses Lok Sabha amid ruckus and slogans by opposition over Kolkata Police-CBI faceoff issue. The opposition raised slogans saying 'CBI is a parrot.' Speaking on the issue, HM Rajnath said "Such an incident has happened for the first time in the country." "CBI officers from stopped from probing, and police commissioner did not cooperate in probe" HM said.

04/02/2019 12:22:06

Home Minister further said "Indian government abides by the constitution and yesterday's incident broke down institutional provisions".

04/02/2019 12:08:27

BJP addresses media on ongoing unrest in Bengal; questions Mamata's intent behind holding dharna, says "Is Mamata trying to save top cop or herself?" He further said it has happened for the first time that a Chief Minister is holding dharna to save one police commissioner. The government further sought a reply from West Bengal Chief Minister.

04/02/2019 10:57:06

Hearing on CBI plea in SC: CJI Gogoi says, "If Kolkata Police Commissioner even remotely thinks of destroying evidence, bring the material before this Court. We will come down so heavily on him that he will regret."

04/02/2019 11:07:24

Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over CBI vs Mamata case; RS adjourned till 2pm.

04/02/2019 10:55:56

HM Rajnath Singh called up Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi to be apprised of the facts of the unfortunate and unprecedented situation of officers of a Central Investigating Agency being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed.

04/02/2019 10:44:44

CBI plea in SC seeking directions to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in Saradha chit fund case: Chief Justice of India says "we will hear the matter tomorrow."

04/02/2019 10:37:00

CBI in its petition says Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation.

04/02/2019 10:36:47

CBI moves Supreme Court seeking directions to Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in Saradha chit fund case.

04/02/2019 10:35:52

"Save constitution, save country and save the federal structure" says TMC leader Derek o'Brian. He further said that "CBI is Modi, Amit Shah's parrot"

04/02/2019 10:09:58

AAP MP Sanjay Singh has given notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 for suspension of business, demanding discussion on 'misuse of CBI'

04/02/2019 09:59:55

Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar (in grey shirt) leaves from the site of CM Mamata Banerjee's 'Save the Constitution' dharna after meeting her. The CM has been back at the dharna after taking a short break earlier this morning. The dharna began last night.

04/02/2019 09:51:41

Andhra Pradesh CM&TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on CBI issue in West Bengal: We will hold discussions with opposition party leaders in Delhi today & draft an action plan on a nation-wide movement. TDP MPs will strongly protest along with other opposition leaders today

04/02/2019 09:47:38

Trinamool Congress has submitted a notice in Rajya Sabha today morning, seeking a discussion on the ongoing Mamata Banerjee-led Save the Constitution protest by opposition.

04/02/2019 09:12:57

Security beefed up outside CBI office in Delhi; CRPF deployed to ensure safety and security.

04/02/2019 09:28:51

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during 'Save the Constitution' dharna in #Kolkata: A memorandum has been signed by all the opposition parties and it will be submitted to the Election Commission

04/02/2019 08:54:43

BJP on Monday called its high level delegation including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Bhupendra Yadav to meet Election Commission today on West Bengal issue.

04/02/2019 08:22:00

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who began a sit-in protest over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams, said Monday she will continue her "Satyagraha" till the country and its Constitution are "saved".
The Chief Minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night on a makeshift dais here along with some senior ministers and party members

04/02/2019 08:24:08

Opposition parties late Sunday night expressed solidarity with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who began a sit-in protest over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams, as the Congress termed it "mala fide" and an "assault" on the federal polity.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi called up Banerjee and extended support to her, saying the entire opposition is together and it will defeat the fascist forces.