Kolkata Police seeks apology from ABP Group over 'malicious' story on CP Rajeev Kumar

Kolkata: The Kolkata Police will take appropriate legal action against Anandabazar Group of Publications if a written apology is not published within three days from getting the letter for carrying a defamatory report against the Commissioner of Police with an intention to malign him.

The letter, sent by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), said a report was filed by a senior reporter of the ABP Group against Commissioner of Police Rajeev Kumar.

The report says that sources have told him that the CBI wants to approach the Court with a request to issue arrest warrant against Kumar. The police found the whole intention to be "malicious" and a deliberate attempt to "defame the CP".

The letter reads "…the reporter concerned, had sent a text to CP, Kolkata yesterday (Wednesday) night at 22 08 hrs. The contents of the text are reproduced below.

"a) …CBI sources saying they want to go to court to request for arrest warrant against u so that u can come for interrogation but I think it is the asthana politics against u . I have done a story but xposed why CBI doing it . U know everything . U know me . U can react . U can give your reaction . U can call me bk for conversation of the record . Any time .

Tomorrow or any day if u game . Regards sir".

The letter from Kolkata Police reads: "It is evident from the text that it was sent well after having filed the story with the sole purpose of evading potential legal complications…

b) The report mentions that Mr Asthana has discussed the case at political levels.

This can imply two things. One, the contents of the report are entirely fictitious. If this be so, the malicious intent of the reporter stands vindicated which merits initiation of legal proceedings against him for making insinuations that have tarnished the image of an individual as also of the public institution that he heads.

Second, the investigation of the case is indeed being dictated by political considerations.

c) The report mentions that CP, Kolkata is contesting a case with Mr Asthana in a different matter…

The above is absolutely false…

We seek an answer as to how and why these factual errors were carried in the report without due verification."