Will see if evidence shows need for custodial interrogation of ex-Kolkata CP, says SC

The Supreme Court told CBI on Wednesday that it would examine whether there was evidence requiring former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's custodial interrogation by the agency in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi made this observation after perusing the case diary placed before it by the CBI, which sought Kumar's custodial interrogation claiming that there was prima facie evidence that he had tried to destroy or tamper with evidence and "shield high and mighty" in the case.

Kumar's counsel countered the CBI submissions and said the agency's move to seek custodial interrogation of the IPS officer was nothing but a "political game".

Kumar was earlier heading the West Bengal Police's special investigation team (SIT) probing the chit fund scam. The apex court had in May 2014 directed the CBI to investigate the case.

During Wednesday's hearing on the CBI application, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the agency, .