The Supreme Court on Tuesday (Feb 5) directed Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to cooperate in investigations related to Saradha Chit fund scam case and appear before the CBI for questioning in Shillong.

The court also directed West Bengal Chief Secretary and DGP to file a response asking them why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them and told them to present on the next hearing.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna was hearing CBI plea seeking directions to Rajeev Kumar to cooperate with the investigation in Saradha chit fund case.

At today’s hearing, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the bench that the material handed over to CBI by the SIT was incomplete and DGP was the head of the SIT and therefore contempt notice should be issued.

“The nature of contempt is serious. It’s a breakdown of constitutional structure; notice on contempt must be issued,” AG said.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi countered the submissions of AG saying that it is humiliation and harassment.

“He’s not an accused, no FIR has been registered against him, all he has done is received a notice under Section 160. No FIR for offence under section 201 since 5 years. There is a political vendetta, as the matter was raised on a Sunday soon after the rally. There’s no offence in the first place, how can I surrender,” Singhvi said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said: “Kolkata Police is initiating false cases against officers of investigating agency who are working under the direction of this court.”

The bench said that it will take decision on contempt proceedings later.

The matter will be again heard on Feb 20.

Read the order here.

—India Legal Bureau