Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar ‘goes missing’ as CBI probes chit fund scams

The Election Commission on Friday sought an explanation about his absence from the state home secretary, Kumar’s reporting boss. Hours later, Mamata Banerjee said Kumar was on leave, and apologised to the election panel for his absence.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is looking for Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with its probe into ponzi scheme scam case.

Rajeev Kumar’s last public appearance was on Thursday when he attended the inauguration of the International Kolkata Book Fair.

A CBI source on Saturday told IANS that Kumar, a 1989 batch IPS officer, considered close to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, may be arrested if he does not respond to the CBI’s summons.

The source said that Kumar had headed a probe by a Special Investigation Team related to both Saradha and Rose valley ponzi scams prior to the CBI taking up the case in 2014 on Supreme Court’s orders.

The SIT was set up by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2013 after the multi billion rupee Saradha scam came to light, when the Saradha group’s companies downed shutters across Bengal, unable to pay back the depositors.

The group had raised huge money, mainly from poor people who, lured by the promise of huge returns, parked their life’s savings with the firm.

The federal agency, now probing the ponzi scam cases, needs documents related to the investigation from Kumar.

Kumar’s last public appearance was on Thursday when he attended the inauguration of the International Kolkata Book Fair where Banerjee was also present.

The Election Commission on Friday said it has sought an explanation about his absence from the state home secretary, Kumar’s reporting boss. Hours later on Friday, Banerjee said Kumar was on leave, and apologised to the election panel for his absence.

The CBI had last month arrested Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohta for his connection with Rose Valley chit fund case.