Mamata’s Dharna Continues, Tejashwi & Kanimozhi Join in Solidarity

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and DMK’s Kanimozhi met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday, 4 February, and expressed solidarity with the Trinamool Congress chief.

On Monday, Banerjee continued her ‘Save the Constitution’ dharna against the CBI’s attempt to question Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with ponzi scam cases.

Bengal plunged into an unprecedented crisis after a CBI team went to Kumar’s residence on Sunday, 3 February, to question him, but was briefly detained by the state police. Banerjee has voiced support for Kumar and slammed the BJP for attacking “federalism and constitutional values” of the country.

Earlier on Sunday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the Kolkata Police commissioner "among the best in the world", as she attacked the BJP leadership for "doing the worst kind of political vendetta".

The CBI had been trying to locate Kumar to question him in connection with Rose Valley and Saradha ponzi scam cases. Reports suggested that the agency was planning on arresting him as the last resort.

The IPS officer, who led a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal Police probing the scams, needed to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he had not responded to notices to appear before the agency, officials said, according to PTI.

When the CBI team reached Kumar's residence on Sunday, it was stopped outside by officials and sentries, they said.

Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, did not even attend a meeting with Election Commission officials who had gone to Kolkata to review election preparedness, sources said.

A statement was issued on Sunday from the Kolkata Police, dismissing reports of him being missing from work.

Addressing the media after the West Bengal police detained the CBI team in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee said:

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announced that she is going to stage a dharna in protest after the unprecedented showdown between the CBI and Kolkata Police on Sunday.

Backing Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar, she said he "is the best in the world".

The CBI officers who were detained on Sunday have been released. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has reached the Shakespeare Sarani police station where they were held.

Slamming Amit Shah and PM Modi for "political vendetta", TMC leader Derek O'Brien said:

The Rajya Sabha MP claimed that 40 CBI officials landed at the police commissioner's residence in Kolkata on Sunday.

He further stated that the TMC has spoken to all the like-minded parties and given them an update about all that has happened.

Speaking after the showdown between the CBI and the Kolkata Police on Sunday, the former’s interim chief Nageshwar Rao told ANI, “We are contacting our senior law officers about the Kolkata incident. Whatever they suggest will be followed.”

Interim CBI chief Nageshwar Rao told ANI that there is evidence against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, but "he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice".

He further claimed that the SIT under Rajeev Kumar has taken charge of all the evidence and seized all the documents.

Opposition leaders, including AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and JD(S)‘s HD Devegowda, slammed the Modi government over the developments in West Bengal and expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee.

CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the tussle between TMC and BJP “is not a fight for any principle but only to save their corrupt and hide their corruption”.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday extended support to Mamata Banerjee amid the stand-off between the West Bengal government and the CBI.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is also likely reach Kolkata on Monday.

Banerjee said several leaders of opposition parties have called her up to extend their support and solidarity towards her "fight to protect the Constitution".

"Leaders of various opposition parties including Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Chandrababu Naidu, Omar Abdullah, Ahmed Patel, MK Stalin had called me to extend their solidarity and support," she said at the venue of her sit-in demonstration.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought time from the West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to discuss the ongoing crisis in the state, reported ANI.

Speaking on the possibility of the Centre trying to impose President's rule in the state, Mamata Banerjee reportedly said, "If they want to impose President’s Rule, we are ready for it.”

Staging a protest in Asansol over the ongoing CBI issue, TMC workers burnt an effigy of PM Modi.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has reportedly expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over the phone amid the West Bengal government-CBI showdown.

The Central Bureau of Investigation will approach the Supreme Court on Monday, 4 February, CBI Interim Director M Nageshwar Rao confirmed. The agency said that it will ask the apex court to intervene as the West Bengal police is not cooperating.

The Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday night said that the Congress stands ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Mamata Banerjee amid the West Bengal government-CBI showdown.

The Congress chief tweeted saying this is an attack on the country’s institutions by PM Modi and BJP.

His tweet came after Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over the phone.

His tweet came Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed solidarity with Mamata Banerjee over the phone

Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who called the antipathy of Modi and Shah towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as "visceral", will be representing the West Bengal government in the Supreme Court when the matter will be up on Monday, at 10:30 am.

Singhvi confirmed the news on Twitter, as he responded to a Times Now report of the same, with relevant hashtags like #MamataBanerjee #RajeevKumar #WestBengal #MamataVsCBI #Kolkata.

TMC workers held several ‘rail roko’ protests in different parts of West Bengal, including Rishra town and Midnapore district.

CM Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Save the Constitution’ dharna at Metro Channel, which began at 9 pm, continued overnight as floodlights lit the venue and preparations are underway for the Assembly session on Monday, 4 February.

As the Chief Minister’s ‘Save the Democracy’ dharna continued post midnight on Sunday, the TMC tweeted out her call for protest rallies to be organised in a “peaceful and democratic manner” across the state, between 2-4 pm on Monday, 4 February.

They also asked those protesting to carry black badges and black flags to "register their protest”.

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 on 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 along with some senior ministers and party members.

"This is a Satyagraha and I'll continue till the country is saved," Banerjee told reporters who accompanied her at the place of dharna.

Speaking to Times Now, West Bengal Governor KN Tripathy said that he has gathered information about the situation from Chief Secretary and DGP of the state. He also said that the CBI has not yet sought an appointment with him.

Reports suggest Mamata will convene pre-budget meetings at the dharna spot before heading to the Assembly to present the Budget.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy tweeted to pledge support to Mamata Banerjee, terming the happenings as ‘attack on state's federal rights’

BJP high level delegation including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Bhupendra Yadav will meet Election Commission on Monday, 4 February on the West Bengal issue.

Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar skipped a meeting with the Election Commission officials last week, stating that he was on a casual leave.

Sources suggest CBI will file an interlocutory application in Supreme Court around 10.30 am seeking direction to WB Govt ‘to cooperate’ with chit fund scam probe and not to impede the probe.

A contempt petition against WB police has also been reportedly drafted and sent to Attorney General KK Venugopal’s office for necessary approval.

Once approved, a separate contempt petition will also be filed, say sources.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continues dharna over CBI issue after a short break early morning. She sat on dharna at Metro Channel in Kolkata all through Sunday night.

“We will hold discussions with Opposition party leaders in Delhi today and draft an action plan on a nationwide movement,” news agency ANI quotes Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.

Naidu also said TDP MPs will strongly protest along with other Opposition leaders today.

Trinamool Congress supporters have blocked roads and staging protests in Tarkeshwar, Gangajalghati and Chinsurah on West Bengal, reports ABP Ananda.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has left the dharna site after meeting Mamata this morning.

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

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will be representing the CBI in the case while Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi will represent the West Bengal government. The matter will be mentioned before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and his court at 10:30 am.

CBI have filed an application asking court to direct West Bengal government to cooperate.

CBI in its petition has said that Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was summoned multiple times but failed to cooperate and created hurdles in the investigation, reports news agency ANI.

The CJI is now hearing the mentioning by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who is representing the CBI.

"The CBI office was under siege" says Solictor General Tushar Mehta.

SC will hear the matter tomorrow, says CJI Gogoi. He has asked CBI to show proof against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar after the investigating agency said that he was destroying electronic evidence.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm following furore over the issue of tussle between CBI and Kolkata Police.

News agency ANI quoted Supreme Court as saying that CBI is permitted to bring the material on record to support its claim that Kolkata Police Commissioner is trying to destroy evidence.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm after Opposition parties protested on the issue of tussle between CBI and Kolkata Police. Earlier, Rajya Sabha was also adjourned till 2 pm.

Samajwadi Party leader Kiranmoy Nanda met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her 'Save the Constitution' dharna in Kolkata. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav are expected to reach Kolkata later today.

Senior National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah has said that Mamata’s allegations are right. “This country is in danger as its becoming dictatorial. They (Central govt) are not masters of this country, people are,” news agency ANI quoted Abdullah as saying.

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that BJP and Central government have started misusing CBI as elections are approaching, reports news agency ANI.

“Centre was scared of a CBI director, now they are trying to scare everyone using CBI,” he said.

News agency ANI quoted Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut as saying that if CM of a big state as West Bengal is sitting on dharna, then it is a serious matter.

“If CBI is being misused, it's a matter of dignity of the nation, and prestige of the agency,” he said.

Ministry of Home Affairs will seek a report on the role of IPS officers on allegations of obstructing investigation and violation of Service Conduct Rules in Monday's incident in Kolkata.

Earlier sources suggested that MHA received reports that CBI had experienced intimidation and threat to personal safety in course of investigation into the Saradha scam.

Reports also suggested that the residence of Joint Director of CBI was surrounded by Kolkata police.

Ministry of Home Affairs, thereafter, took action to deploy Central Armed Police Forces at the office and residential premises of CBI in Kolkata.

Reacting on the Kolkata issue, BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said that it's murder of democracy, news agency ANI reported. “We want to ask Mamata Banerjee why is she staging dharna, who does she want to shield? Police commissioner or herself?” he said.

Reacting on the grand alliance he said, “This is not Mahagathbandhan, they are divided by vision and united by corruption. The corrupt are standing together”.

Reacting on Monday’s incident, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that action was taken after SC had ordered an investigation into Saradha chit fund case. “The Police Commissioner was summoned many times but he did not appear,” he said, reported news agency ANI.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has summoned Chief Secretary and Director General of Police and has asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation, he said.

“SC in its earlier order on the CBI investigation of Saradha chit fund case had said that CBI in its investigation till now had found involvement of many political and influential person,” he added.

Coming out in support of Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that what Centre did in West Bengal is very dangerous and against the Constitution and democracy. “Every state has an elected government. If PM sends CBI and ED like this and tries to scare the officers, then this country will not be safe,” he said.

The West Bengal government will reportedly hold a Cabinet meeting at the dharna site at 1.30 pm.

Rajeev Kumar along with other senior IPS officers has reached the Calcutta High Court. Earlier, the HC had said that there can be no coercive action on Rajeev Kumar till 13 February.

Describing her sit-in over the CBI's attempt to question Kolkata Police chief as a "non-political" protest, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said support has poured in for her from different quarters of the country, PTI reported.

Welcoming support for her dharna, Banerjee said, "It's not a political programme. But all political parties can join us in our protest." Banerjee maintained that Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath, DMK President MK Stalin and former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti were among those who called up to express solidarity to her protest.

The West Bengal government has moved the Calcutta High Court against the CBI. High Court will hear the issue on Tuesday, 5 February.

Three Kolkata Police officers (Jt CP Crime, Add DC South and an ADG) were present at the court of Justice Srikant Prasad, the same court which had earlier granted a stay on CBI interrogation of senior cops

The AG submitted that the court should hear the matter on urgent basis today itself since CBI raids at CP's residence tantamount to a contempt of court.

The Additional Solicitor General however objected saying that the matter currently lies before the SC which will hear the case tomorrow. It also said that Calcutta HC’s stay applied specifically to three officers of the Bidhannagar Commissionerate and there's no way the Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar can claim immunity for that.

A confidential report prepared by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has been sent to Ministry of Home Affairs, reports ANI.

Speaking at the dharna site, Mamata Banerjee said that opposing BJP now means getting harassed by government agencies.

“This is not a political issue. Law will take its own course. If someone destroys the pillars of democracy, the entire idea of democracy crumbles, ceases to have value. All political parties who believe in federalism have supported us,” said Mamata.

“We respect the judiciary, but it is being influenced through agencies. Ideological differences are normal, but protesting against the BJP now means being anti-national,” she added.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the opposition Congress in Odisha on Monday backed Mamata Banerjee over the alleged misuse of the CBI by the Centre and claimed that the federal probe agency was being "used as a political weapon" ahead of the general elections.

The BJD in a statement said, "Institutional integrity of the CBI has to be restored. We are a mature democracy and professionalism should be maintained."

Even in Odisha, sudden action by the CBI had come just before panchayat elections in the past, it said, adding, "Now, before the general elections, the move smacks of unprofessional conduct and is coloured with political motives."

Later, the BJD issued a clarification, saying:

Hitting out at the BJP, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik tweeted,

At a press conference on Monday, 4 February, Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over her protest in Kolkata, questioning why a police commissioner was sitting on a dharna along with politicians.

“What is the meaning of this? By sitting on dharna, West Bengal CM is following the footsteps of Arvind Kejriwal,” he said.

With various political leaders voicing their support for the West Bengal CM, the law minister also slammed the alliance of Opposition parties, saying the Gathbandhan is not only an “opportunistic alliance”, but also “a coalition of the corrupt."

“In 2014, the Congress tweeted Rahul Gandhi’s statement that 20 lakh people lost their money in chit fund scam in West Bengal. We took oath on 26 May 2014, so all these inquiries in Narada and Saradha scams started before us,” he said.

On the TMC’s allegation that the CBI team had no search warrant when it approached the Kolkata police chief’s residence, Prasad pointed out that Rajeev Kumar had been summoned by the CBI three times earlier.

Sources told The Quint that the West Bengal governor’s report on the crisis that has engulfed the state has raised questions on the actions of the Kolkata Police.

The report has apparently pointed out that women CBI officers were manhandled by the police, the phones of CBI officers were snatched away and the family of the Kolkata CBI joint director was also harassed, sources said.

A confidential report prepared by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi had been sent to Ministry of Home Affairs earlier on Monday.

A BJP office in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur has been vandalised, reported ANI. The saffron party has alleged that TMC “goons” were behind the incident.

While continuing her dharna against the Modi government, CM Mamata Banerjee attended a West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police event on Monday. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was also present for the occasion, reported ANI.

Continuing her ‘Save the Constitution’ dharna in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee, in her latest comments, said she is ready to give her life but not compromise.

“I did not take to the streets when you touched TMC leaders. But I am angry when they tried to insult the chair of the Kolkata Police commissioner, he is leading the organisation,” she added.

The CBI on Monday, 4 February, filed a contempt plea in the Supreme Court against West Bengal's chief secretary, director general of police and Kolkata Police commissioner for wilful and deliberate violation of apex court's orders.

A three-judge bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi would be hearing the CBI pleas pertaining to the Kolkata crisis on Tuesday.

The bench would also comprise Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjeev Khanna.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Monday accused the Modi government of “unleashing” all the agencies on its political opponents, in view of the the developments in West Bengal.

He further questioned how could 40 CBI officers and personnel attempt to enter the residence of the Kolkata Police commissioner “without any warrant or legal paper”. “It was clearly illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.

The CPI(M) on Monday termed as "politically motivated", both CBI's latest move in chit fund scam cases and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sit-in protest.

"Now its actions are clearly politically motivated as is the 'drama dharna' of Mamata Banerjee. The timing is to divert attention from the huge Left rally termed the people's brigade yesterday (Sunday) in Kolkata", the politburo member said.

She said her party reiterates its demand to punish all accused, including those who are involved in the scam, and also return the seized money to the people.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and DMK leader Kanimozhi have arrived in Kolkata to meet West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and DMK’s Kanimozhi met Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday, and expressed solidarity amid the standoff between the state government and the Centre.