Union Home Ministry calls for disciplinary proceedings against Rajeev Kumar

Kolkata: The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday wrote to the Mamata Banerjee government, asking it to start disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, alleging indiscipline and violation of All India Services (Conduct) Rules.

In a letter to state Chief Secretary Malay De, the Home Ministry said that as per information received, Kumar sat on a dharna along with some police officers and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the dharna manch in Metro Channel, which violates All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969. His action is prima facie in contravention of the extant provisions of the All India Services (Conduct) rules, 1968 and All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, the ministry said.

The MHA communication cited the extant provisions of the Rules 3(1), 5(1) and 7 of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which were flouted by Kumar.

The Chief Minister, however, made it clear that Kumar had never joined the dharna manch at Metro Channel. "A police officer is free to come and talk with the Chief Minister as it is the duty of a police officer to give protection to the latter. The SPG also accompanies the Prime Minister during political meetings. An IPS officer visits different spots during elections as part of their duty. They (Centre) are doing this only out of political vendetta," Banerjee said. Banerjee came down heavily upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he is now trying to take control of state agencies as well.

"Will he now try to take control of law and order, education and agriculture which are state subjects? There is no democracy in the country and one man rule is going on. The PM should resign and go back to Gujarat," she said, adding that IAS and IPS officers are now being targeted out of political vendetta.

It has been learnt that Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has written a letter addressing the CBI director that he is ready to appear before the CBI investigating officers at Shillong on February 8.

Kumar has also made it clear in his letter that there is no question of non-cooperation with the Central agency for the sake of investigation.