KOLKATA: The CBI, which is probing the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, on Monday asked the West Bengal Police to provide them security while it produces state Transport Minister Madan Mitra in court on Tuesday.
The Central agency wrote to the Police Commissioners of Kolkata and Bidhannagar to deploy more policemen at the Alipore court and security cover for the convoy that would take Mitra from its offices at the CGO complex in Salt Lake to the court in southern part of the city. It dispatched the letters following directions from its headquarters in New Delhi on Monday.
The agency has pointed out to the city police that its arrangements on Saturday at the Alipore court was inadequate and total lawlessness prevailed as workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress had stormed the court compound. It pointed out that such a large mob posed security threat for its officials and the minister and asked the city police to adopt measures for smooth functioning of its officials. The TMC workers, who blocked the CBI vehicle carrying Mitra on Saturday, shouted slogans against the CBI and showered rose petals on Mitra. A group of lawyers owing allegiance to the ruling party shouted down the CBI counsel who ultimately had to resort to a written submission.
According to CBI sources, a report submitted by one of its IOs P B Karan to Joint Director Rajiv Singh stated that the police were mute spectators when TMC workers blocked the CBI vehicles near the court on Saturday. Mamata Banerjee took to the streets and asked her party workers to resort to agitations against the CBI.