Rajeev Kumar is leaking whatever I said during CBI interrogation in Shillong, alleges Kunal Ghosh

In what could be a big blow to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MP Kunal Ghosh on Tuesday dashed a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation Agency (CBI), accusing Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar of tampering with the new evidence that has emerged during their joint interrogation in Shillong on February 10. His demands also include that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mukul Roy be jointly interrogated with him by the investigating agency. Both Kumar and Ghosh were questioned by the CBI in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam case.

Speaking to the media, Ghosh said, "Today I filed a complaint to CBI that after the first day of joint interrogation some names were there who can be significant witnesses. That night, on 10 Feb, after returning from CBI office in Shillong to guest house Mr Kumar communicated with those persons".

"Kumar is leaking whatever I had said during the joint interrogation with him (at Shillong) and is instructing his subordinate officers to tamper with that evidence. I have received information regarding it. I request the CBI to take immediate action so that the tampering of evidence is stopped," he added.

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"I have appealed that there may be some influence, pressure or new chemistry. So I objected very strongly that this is not to be done. I prayed before CBI that they should take the strongest action against Rajeev Kumar," the former Trinamool Congress MP reiterated.

"I am always ready to cooperate with the CBI. I think I should be interrogated jointly with Mukul Roy. It will throw some light on the investigation," he said, adding that several key persons are still out of the purview of the CBI investigation into the multi-crore-rupee scam, Ghosh further said.

Former TMC MP Kunal Ghosh: Today I filed complaint to CBI that after first day of joint interrogation some names were there who can be significant witness. That night, on 10 Feb, after returning from CBI office in Shillong to guest house Mr Kumar communicated with those persons. https://t.co/oVqKgdieXm

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2019

Being asked about Ghosh's allegations, Kolkata Police officials said they were yet to receive any query from the central probe agency, adding that if they get any they will answer it positively. Roy, when contacted, also said that he is ready to be quizzed by the CBI to help it in the investigation process.

Roy, a former TMC general secretary, who joined the BJP in November 2017 following differences with party chief Mamata Banerjee, has been interrogated once by the central probe agency in January 2015. Ghosh had on Monday urged political parties not to politicise the CBI probe into the Ponzi scheme case.

In November 2013, Ghosh, then Rajya Sabha MP of the Trinamool Congress, was arrested by the special investigation team headed by Kumar in connection with the chit fund case. He was granted bail in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)

HIGHLIGHTS

• CBI is grilling Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in Saradha chit fund case.
• Rajeev Kumar and Kunal Ghosh were jointly interrogated by CBI on Sunday.
• Ghosh accuses Kumar of tampering with evidence in the chit fund case.