Victory of people, says Mamata on SC order on Rajeev Kumar; BJP scoffs, calls it victory of CBI

"It is a victory of the people," she told reporters. "We welcome the Supreme Court order."

Earlier this morning, the  Supreme Court ordered Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI in the Sarada chit fund scam case.

The court said no coercive action would be taken against Kumar.

To Attorney General KK Venugopal's plea before the apex court the Chief Justice of India said: "We will direct the Police Commissioner to make himself available and fully cooperate."

"Going by your prayers, we don't think there should be any problem in asking Rajeev Kumar to make available himself before CBI," the CJI said according to media reports.

The central investigating agency on Monday moved the Supreme Court against the state government over its "non-cooperation".

The Supreme Court has asked the probe agency to produce evidence proving Kumar's alleged attempt to tamper evidence in the chit fund scams.

Demanding evidence, the top court said as quoted in media: "If Kolkata Police Commissioner even remotely thinks of destroying evidence, bring the material before this Court. We will come down so heavily on him that he will regret."

Reacting to the development, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been on a dharna for three days on the issue, said this was "a moral victory".

"No one is the big boss of this country. Democracy is the big boss of this country," Mamata told reporters.

"I am not pleading for Rajeev Kumar. I am pleading for millions of people of this country," she said.

The BJP said the court order meant the the police chief had to appear before CBI finally.

"Some say it is their victory, how does it matter," said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. 

Prasad said this order was given by SC to investigate the conspiracy angle and also money laundering angle. "This investigation must be done in a fair manner. Let's not politicise it. This is a great moral victory for CBI."

BJP leader and lawyer Nalin Kohli on a contempt plea as quoted by ANI said: "It has also been made clear by SC in its order that personal appearance, after filing of replies, of concerned officers may be required & it'll be communicated by Secy General of SC on 19 Feb, if such appearance is required on 20."