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Kolkata top cop Kumar influencing probe, says ex-MP (Lead)
Kolkata/Shillong, Feb 12 (IANS) Former Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh, who was interrogated along with Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar by the CBI in Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund scams, said on Tuesday he has lodged an “official complaint” against the top cop for allegedly influencing the ongoing probe.
Earlier in the day, Ghosh said Kumar’s interrogation in the Ponzi scam case was long overdue and claimed many conspirators were still outside the purview of the probe.
“I have lodged a written complaint to the CBI against Kumar today (Tuesday) morning. During our face to face interrogation on February 10, certain Kolkata Police officers were named. But Kumar called up some of those officers after leaving the CBI office that night,” claimed Ghosh, who returned to the city from Shillong, where Kumar is being interrogated.
“These officers were part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the state government to probe the ponzi scams. They can be influential leads in the probe. By calling these officers, Kumar is trying to influence the probe,” he alleged.
Unless strict action is taken against Kumar, the outcome of the probe might not be entirely fruitful, he added.
“I have written to the CBI the way Kumar is contacting those who could become important witnesses in the probe, may influence the process. Strictest action should be taken against him,” he claimed.
When asked how did he know about Kumar’s telephonic interactions with the police officers, Ghosh said Kumar himself “accidentally disclosed” that during the interrogation on January 11.
“Kumar himself told the interrogators that he had called some of those officers. He might have disclosed it unconsciously. But his statement is video recorded. There is no need to check his call details for this,” he said.
Ghosh, arrested in November 2013 in connection with the two chit fund scams and later granted interim bail by the Calcutta High Court in 2016, refused to make any comment regarding the investigation or the joint interrogation as the process is still on.
However, he claimed it was a “moral victory” for him that Kumar who refused to listen to him six years ago (during Ghosh’s time in prison) was forced to sit with him and listen to his allegations.
Ghosh said he would not term the status of the probe to satisfactory or unsatisfactory as he is sceptic about the “long arm of the influential”.
“When I sought justice in 2013, Kumar did not care about me. I felt bad seeing that an IPS officer like him has to face hours of questioning on this issue. Had he played an active role at that time, he would not have to face the CBI interrogation in Shillong now,” Ghosh claimed.
The CBI interrogated Ghosh and Kumar together for several hours on Sunday and Monday, and recorded their statements.
The probe agency summoned Kumar for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday for questioning.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.