New Delhi/Kolkata: As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's dharna (sit-in protest) against Central Bureau of Investigation's move to quiz Rajeev Kumar entered its third day, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Kolkata Police chief should make himself available for the federal agency probe.
To Attorney General KK Venugopal's plea before the apex court the Chief Justice of India said. "We will direct the Police Commissioner to make himself available and fully cooperate."
"Going by your prayers, we don't think there should be any problem in asking Rajeev Kumar to make available himself before CBI," the CJI said according to media reports.
The top court said the police chief cannot be arrested or subjected to other coercive steps but he has to make available all evidence to the CBI and cooperate with it in the chit funds scam.
According to reports, the Police Commissioner will appear before the CBI in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, as a neutral place.
Attorney General KK Venugopal has pleaded before the Supreme Court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the alleged contemnors.
The top court earlier said: "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."
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said the apex court order is her moral victory.
"It’s a moral victory. We have great respect for judiciary and all institutions. We're so obliged," she said from her dharna mancha. "No one is the big boss of this country. Democracy is the big boss of this country," Mamata told reporters.
The BJP said the court order meant the the police chief had to appear before CBI finally. "Some say it is their victory, how does it matter," said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Prasad said this order was given by SC to investigate the conspiracy angle and also money laundering angle. "This investigation must be done in a fair manner. Let's not politicise it. This is a great moral victory for CBI."
BJP leader and lawyer Nalin Kohli on a contempt plea as quoted by ANI said: "It has also been made clear by SC in its order that personal appearance, after filing of replies, of concerned officers may be required & it'll be communicated by Secy General of SC on 19 Feb, if such appearance is required on 20."
The central investigating agency on Monday moved the Supreme Court against the state government over its "non-cooperation".
The Supreme Court has asked the probe agency to produce evidence proving Kumar's alleged attempt to tamper evidence in the chit fund scams.
Demanding evidence, the top court said as quoted in media: "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."
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