Who is Rajeev Kumar, West Bengal's 'controversial' DGP transferred by Election Commission?

The Election Commission on 18th March transferred West Bengal's top cop Rajeev Kumar, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. While the transfers of top bureaucrats are part of a routine process undertaken by the poll watchdog when the issue of conflict arises, Kumar's transfer, however, gained headlines due to his controversial career.

Phone-taping allegations

In 2009, faced allegations from TMC's then national general secretary Mukul Roy. Roy accused him of engaging in phone surveillance of then railway minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee on behalf of the Left Front government. But when Mamata became the chief minister, Kumar was accused of tapping the phones of the BJP leaders.

Sharada scam case

The CBI has accused Kumar of allegedly suppressing and destroying evidence in the investigation of the Saradha scam while leading a SIT set up by the state government to probe the matter.

Close relations with Mamata Banerjee

Kumar is considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. When an all-out war broke out between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government on February 3, 2019, in connection with chit fund scams, the Bengal leader began an “indefinite dharna” in the heart of Kolkata over the CBI's attempt to question Kumar.

Stellar reputation

A 1989-batch IPS officer with an engineering degree from IIT Roorkee, Kumar held prominent positions such as commissioner of Kolkata Police, joint commissioner (Special Task Force), and director general (CID), among others. Under his leadership, the STF of Kolkata Police gained notoriety for its operations against Maoist leaders and criminals.

Renowned for his prowess as an investigator and a formidable information network, he played a crucial role in apprehending Chattaradhar Mahato, a significant figure in the Lalgarh movement. Additionally, he oversaw the STF's pivotal contributions in undermining the Maoist movement from 2009 to 2011.

Former Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar in his book 'Dial D for Don' praised Rajeev Kumar's investigation as senior superintendent of CID after the American Center attack in 2001 and the high-profile kidnapping case of Khadim shoe company's CEO Partha Pratim Roy Burman.

(With inputs from PTI)

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