Chennai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), locked in a bitter spat with the Kolkata police over Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, filed its affidavit today, on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The affidavit states that the investigation into the Sarada scam was being done by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) but that crucial evidence like laptop, mobiles phones and pen drive were handed over to the main accused in the case.
This, the affidavit said, was done by the investigating officer of the West Bengal police working under the direct supervision of Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar.
Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the CBI, told the Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi, that Rajeev Kumar, as head of SIT, had earlier probed the chit fund scam. But he had not only failed to retain the evidence but also provided false call data records of the accused to CBI when it took over the probe on orders from the top court.
The three-judge Supreme Court bench has directed Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI and cooperate with the investigation but did not allow his arrest. 
It also issued contempt notices to the State’s Chief Secretary, DGP and Rajeev Kumar and sought their response by 20 February.
The case was adjourned to 20 February.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been on a dharna for the past two days against the CBI action in wanting to question Rajeev Kumar. She has raised the slogan ‘Save the Constitution’ and the leaders of the Opposition parties in the country have rallied around her.