Ex-TMC MP accuses top cop of trying to influence probe

Former TMC MP Kunal Ghosh, who was jointly questioned by the CBI along with Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in relation to the Saradha chit fund scam, accused Kumar on Tuesday of trying to influence the probe by calling up police officers whose names came up during the questioning.

Ghosh said that he and Kumar were jointly questioned by CBI on February 10 and 11.

“I have sent a written complaint to CBI today (Tuesday) morning. CBI questioned me and Kumar jointly on February 10 and 11. On February 10 during joint questioning, the names of some police officers came up… But after coming out of CBI office that night Rajeev Kumar called some of them (police officers). So I informed in writing that this can be a way of influencing the probe,” Ghosh said while speaking to reporters at the Kolkata Airport after returning from Shillong.

Ghosh also said that in his complaint to the CBI against Kumar, he had also stated that if strong action is not taken against Kumar then the investigation will not be totally fruitful.

“So if stern action is not taken against Kumar then investigation will not be totally fruitful. He is calling police officers who worked under him in the Special Investigation Team (SIT formed by the West Bengal government) and the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate,” Ghosh said.

Describing Kumar as a “very influential” police officer, Ghosh further claimed that if Kumar keeps calling the concerned police officers then their is apprehension that the probe may get influenced.

Kumar also said that CBI should question him and BJP leader Mukul Roy in relation to the Saradha chit fund scam as it will significantly contribute to progress of the investigation.

Roy, a former TMC general secretary, joined the BJP in 2017.

Ghosh was arrested by the SIT in relation to Saradha chit fund scam in 2013 when he was a TMC MP in the Rajya Sabha. He was released on bail in 2016.