City
Epaper

Mamata sends Modi sweets as CBI hunts for Rajeev Kumar

By IANS | Updated: September 18, 2019 15:25 IST

The political circuit has been set abuzz with speculation about the real reason for Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's meeting here with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for Wednesday at a time when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is trying to locate the former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to question him in the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam.

Open in App

According to official sources here, Banerjee has had Kolkata sweets home-delivered to Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg a day before their meeting, where she is also expected to raise the issue of pending projects in West Bengal. Banerjee flew to Delhi on Tuesday, which was also Modi's birthday.

Congress party Bengal unit President Somen Mitra has accused Banerjee of making a desperate bid to ensure an "escape route" for Kumar, who is currently untraceable.

"Do we understand that Honourable CM of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee is going to Delhi on the day PM Modi celebrates his birthday, and as return gift for the birthday wishes, request an escape route for the ex-Commissioner of Kolkata Police in the Saradha chit fund scam?", Mitra asked.

The state BJP in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya also dubbed it as the "last-ditch bid" of the fiery Bengal leader to save the police officer regarded as being close to her.

Earlier, not only was a CBI team looking to question Kumar detained by the Kolkata Police, but Banerjee herself sat on a 'dharna' to protest of the CBI team visiting Kumar's residence.

"Why is she seeking a meeting with PM Modi all of a sudden is anybody's guess", Vijayvargiya said, recalling Banerjee's sharp criticism of Modi during the 2019 general election campaign.

The last time the two leaders met was at the convocation ceremony at Visva Bharati University in Shantiniketan on May 25, 2018.

The Rs 2,500-crore Saradha chit fund scam involved a ponzi scheme that defrauded small investors and poor people with promises of astronomical returns. When the fraud came to light, several victims ended up committing suicide.

Many top Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders' names have been dragged into the scam investigation, including sitting MP Shatabdi Roy and former MP Kunal Ghosh. TMC leader Derek O'Brien has been quizzed in the matter by the investigation agency.

With the CBI now looking for Kumar, there is visible discomfort within the ranks of the TMC.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Bengal Mamata BanerjeeWest BengalmodikumarKailash Vijayvargiya
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalITC Scam: ED Raids 12 Locations Across Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in ₹750 Crore Fraud Probe

NationalKolkata Horror: Nursing Home Staffer Molests Semi-Conscious Patient, Arrested

NationalSuvendu Adhikari Convoy Attack: Seven Arrested for Assaulting West Bengal LoP's Car with Rods and Sticks in Cooch Behar

NationalPriyajit Ghosh, 22-Year-Old Bengal Cricketer, Dies of Heart Attack During Gym Session

NationalWBPSC Miscellaneous Preliminary Result 2025 Declared at psc.wb.gov.in; 10,229 Candidates Qualify for Mains – Know How to Check and Download PDF

National Realted Stories

NationalT'gana CM Revanth Reddy meets Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge

NationalDrugs, foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 9.47 crore seized in Mizoram; one held

NationalHeavy rains bring Hyderabad to standstill, alert sounded

NationalOdisha govt inks MoU with IIM, Sambalpur to foster bio-economy

NationalRahul Gandhi’s dinner meet brings together INDIA Bloc on electoral integrity