Kolkata, February 19: Days after Rajiv Kumar was embroiled in a controversy over the investigation in the Saradha scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), he was removed for the post of Kolkata Police Commissioner and now has been posted as ADG & IGP, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal. Also, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has found a replacement for him and made Anuj Sharma the new Kolkata Police Commissioner.

According to the information, Kumar was stated to be transferred before the Lok Sabha elections, as per the norms of the Elections Commission of India. He has been posted as the Kolkata police chief for last three years, as he was made the police commissioner in May 2016. But, with the inquiry for the alleged discrepancies in the Sharada scam in place, the transfer of Kumar is prior to his tenure. CBI Vs Kolkata Police: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Backs Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Accuses BJP of Torturing WB.

Earlier, Kumar and other IPS officers – part of the team probing the Saradha case – were questioned by the CBI in Shillong following a Supreme Court directive asking him to cooperate in the investigation. The apex court had stated it clearly that Kumar would not be arrested and ordered to cooperate with the central investigating agency. The Supreme Court had made the announcement after the CBI complaint that its officers were prevented by the Kolkata Police when they went to Kumar’s residence to question him on February 3. Considering a neutral place, the court chose Shillong “to avoid unnecessary controversy”.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2019 02:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).