Did the SC Just Reject the CBI's Plea Against Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Supreme Court's recent decision to dismiss the CBI's plea against anticipatory bail for Rajeev Kumar has sparked significant discussion. This ruling emphasizes the delicate balance between law enforcement and judicial oversight in high-profile cases.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court upheld the anticipatory bail granted to Rajeev Kumar.
- The CBI's request for custodial interrogation was denied.
- Kumar's cooperation with the investigation was noted by the court.
- There is ongoing tension between the Central and West Bengal governments.
- The case highlights issues related to legal rights of public officials.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (NationPress) The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Special Leave Petition (SLP) submitted by the CBI that contested the Calcutta High Court's ruling granting anticipatory bail to West Bengal DGP and former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in relation to the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran instructed that the contempt of court case—focused on claims that the state police were obstructing the CBI's inquiry into the Saradha scam—be scheduled for hearing in eight weeks.
In November 2019, the Supreme Court had instructed the senior IPS official to address the CBI’s appeal against the anticipatory bail granted to him. Since that time, the petition has been pending before the apex court. Previously, the Calcutta High Court had provided anticipatory bail to Kumar, stating that custodial interrogation was “not warranted” under the circumstances.
A bench of Justices Sahidullah Munshi and Subhasis Dasgupta remarked that Kumar, who led the SIT as Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police before the investigation was transferred to the CBI, had already been interrogated by the Central agency multiple times.
In denying the CBI’s request for custodial interrogation due to alleged inconsistencies in seizure timings and tampering with CDRs, the Calcutta HC stated: “We cannot justify custodial interrogation based solely on this... in the absence of other compelling evidence. We believe that such discrepancies can be resolved during the trial.”
It noted that despite claims of non-cooperation, Kumar had “voluntarily made himself available for questioning in the interest of the ongoing investigation” and there was no “decisive evidence” warranting custody. “This is not a situation where custodial interrogation would be justified,” the Calcutta HC concluded, while granting him anticipatory bail.
This case is tied to a significant standoff between the Central and West Bengal governments in January 2019, when a CBI team arrived at Rajeev Kumar’s official residence for questioning. However, when local police detained the CBI officers, the team was compelled to withdraw, leading Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to initiate a sit-in protest in support of Kumar.
Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Biswajit Deb, assisted by lawyers Anando Mukherjee and Shwetank Singh, represented Rajeev Kumar before the apex court.
Point of View
I maintain an unbiased view on this case. The Supreme Court's decision reflects the complexities of legal processes, especially in high-stakes cases involving public officials. Our commitment is to provide factual reporting that encourages informed discourse among our audience.
NationPress
19/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Saradha chit fund scam?
The Saradha chit fund scam is a major financial scandal in India involving a Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors, leading to significant financial losses.
Who is Rajeev Kumar?
Rajeev Kumar is the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) and former Commissioner of Kolkata Police, involved in the investigations related to the Saradha scam.
What does anticipatory bail mean?
Anticipatory bail is a provision that allows a person to seek bail in anticipation of being arrested for a non-bailable offense.
What was the Supreme Court's ruling?
The Supreme Court dismissed the CBI's plea against the anticipatory bail granted to Rajeev Kumar, maintaining the Calcutta High Court's decision.
Why was there a standoff between the CBI and the West Bengal government?
The standoff occurred when CBI officials attempted to question Rajeev Kumar, leading to local police intervention and a subsequent protest by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
