Former Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar sought more time to appear before CBI in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam on Saturday. Kumar, whose protection from custodial interrogation was withdrawn by the Calcutta High Court on Friday, was served another notice by the CBI to appear before them on Saturday at 10 am for questioning.

Former Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar sought more time to appear before CBI in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam on Saturday. Kumar, whose protection from custodial interrogation was withdrawn by the Calcutta High Court on Friday, was served another notice by the CBI to appear before them on Saturday at 10 am for questioning. However, Kumar skipped the summons and did not appear before CBI. Sources in the CBI claimed that Kumar sent an e-mail seeking more time to appear before them. "We have received an email where he was seeking more time. We cannot share what reason he has stated," said a source in the CBI. Kumar could not be reached for a comment as his phone remained switched off throughout the day. While on one hand, security was strengthened outside Kumar’s Kolkata residence – 34, Park Street, CBI officers are considering to take legal action against him. A team comprising Joint Director CBI, Pankaj Srivastava, Superintendent of Police, Partha Mukherjee and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tathagata Vardhan held a meeting with the CBI counsel YJ Dastur at his South Kolkata house. Sources said that the CBI officers discussed what legal options could be explored against Kumar after he did not appear before the agency despite the summons. While leaving the CBI counsel’s residence, the Joint Director Pankaj Srivastava said, "We are studying the documents that we have. I cannot share much. Today, he has not appeared, let us see." Rajeev Kumar, who is currently the West Bengal CID Additional Director General, was part of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to investigate the scam before the Supreme Court handed over the case to the CBI in 2014, along with other chit fund cases. The Saradha Chit Fund Scam is a multi crore-rupee scam, agencies say it would be around 2,000 crores but both investigating agencies, Enforcement Directorate and CBI are yet to conclude the exact amount of the chit fund scam. The scam duped lakhs of people in the state promising higher rates of returns on their investments.

Saradha chit fund scam: Former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar seeks more time to appear before CBI

West Bengal chief minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-challenges-aadhaar-in-supreme-court-hearing-on-october-30-23047">Mamata Banerjee met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai today</a> leading to speculation that the two powerful politicians could be seeking an alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Uddhav Thackeray&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bengal-bjp-legislators-stopped-from-visiting-riot-hit-basirhat-detained-17730">Shiv Sena is aligned with the BJP-led Maharashtra government</a>, however, his party has been reduced to the fringes with chief minister&nbsp;Devendra Fadnavis leading a majority government in the state.

Uddhav Thackeray has often disagreed with the BJP on several issues, also with the Modi government at the Centre.

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Mumbai: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray; Aditya Thackeray also present. <a href="https://t.co/zyds8yCbvY">pic.twitter.com/zyds8yCbvY</a>
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During the recent presidential polls, the Shiv Sena leader had said his party wouldn&#39;t support Ram Nath Kovind&#39;s candidature if his name was being put up to &quot;merely capture Dalit votes&quot;.

&quot;Shiv Sena has always kept away from such vote-bank politics,&quot;&nbsp;Uddhav had said.

Mamata Banerjee too has had major differences with the Modi government ranging from Aadhaar to the Darjeeling crisis. The Bengal chief minister has been softly lobbying to set up a third front against the BJP for a long time.

About the meeting with the Mamata Banerjee, the Shiv Sena in a statement said: &quot;The meeting between Mamata Banerjee and Uddhav Thackery was just a courtesy call and there is no other meaning to it.&quot;

However, political pundits feel the &quot;courtesy call&quot; could lead to a &quot;political handshake&quot; in the future as parties across the country gear up for elections in less than two years.

Uddhav Thackeray has often disagreed with the BJP on several issues, also with the Modi government at the Centre.?

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai today leading to speculation that the two powerful politicians could be seeking an alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena is aligned with the BJP-led Maharashtra government, however, his party has been reduced to the fringes with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis leading a majority government in the state. Uddhav Thackeray has often disagreed with the BJP on several issues, also with the Modi government at the Centre. Mumbai: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray; Aditya Thackeray also present. pic.twitter.com/zyds8yCbvY — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2017 × During the recent presidential polls, the Shiv Sena leader had said his party wouldn't support Ram Nath Kovind's candidature if his name was being put up to "merely capture Dalit votes". "Shiv Sena has always kept away from such vote-bank politics," Uddhav had said. Mamata Banerjee too has had major differences with the Modi government ranging from Aadhaar to the Darjeeling crisis. The Bengal chief minister has been softly lobbying to set up a third front against the BJP for a long time. About the meeting with the Mamata Banerjee, the Shiv Sena in a statement said: "The meeting between Mamata Banerjee and Uddhav Thackery was just a courtesy call and there is no other meaning to it." However, political pundits feel the "courtesy call" could lead to a "political handshake" in the future as parties across the country gear up for elections in less than two years.

CM Mamata meets Uddhav Thackeray, sparks 'alliance' rumours

The Supreme court will hear a plea filed by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on October 30 against the Centre&#39;s move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of various social welfare schemes.

Senior advocate and member of parliament Kalyan Banerjee said the petition was filed earlier and would come up for hearing before the bench, comprising Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, on October 30.

He said that the West Bengal government has challenged the provision which said that without Aadhaar, the benefits of social welfare schemes would not be extended.

At a party meeting in Kolkata on Wednesday, the Trinamool Congress chief had also opposed the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phone number, saying &quot;Aadhaar number should not be linked with one&#39;s mobile phone. I will not link my Aadhaar number with my mobile even if my connection is snapped.&quot;

However, the Aadhaar-mobile issue is not part of the state government&#39;s plea, Kalyan Banerjee said.

The centre on October 25 told the top court that the deadline for mandatory Aadhaar linking to avail benefits of various government schemes has been extended till March 31 next year. The extension concerned those who do not have the 12-digit biometric identification number.

Attorney General KK Venugopal told a bench headed Chief Justice Dipak Misra that deadline extension would apply only to those who do not have Aadhaar and are willing to enrol for it. Earlier, the deadline for linking of Aadhaar was December end this year.&nbsp;

Venugopal had also told the bench that he would take instructions on certain issues on Aadhaar after which the court had asked him to mention the matter again on October 30.

Several petitions are pending in the top court which challenge the centre&#39;s move to make Aadhaar linkage with mobile number and bank accounts mandatory for welfare schemes and notifications.

 
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The West Bengal government is against the Centre's move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of various social welfare schemes

The Supreme court will hear a plea filed by the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on October 30 against the Centre's move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing the benefits of various social welfare schemes. Senior advocate and member of parliament Kalyan Banerjee said the petition was filed earlier and would come up for hearing before the bench, comprising Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, on October 30. He said that the West Bengal government has challenged the provision which said that without Aadhaar, the benefits of social welfare schemes would not be extended. At a party meeting in Kolkata on Wednesday, the Trinamool Congress chief had also opposed the linking of Aadhaar with mobile phone number, saying "Aadhaar number should not be linked with one's mobile phone. I will not link my Aadhaar number with my mobile even if my connection is snapped." However, the Aadhaar-mobile issue is not part of the state government's plea, Kalyan Banerjee said. The centre on October 25 told the top court that the deadline for mandatory Aadhaar linking to avail benefits of various government schemes has been extended till March 31 next year. The extension concerned those who do not have the 12-digit biometric identification number. Attorney General KK Venugopal told a bench headed Chief Justice Dipak Misra that deadline extension would apply only to those who do not have Aadhaar and are willing to enrol for it. Earlier, the deadline for linking of Aadhaar was December end this year. Venugopal had also told the bench that he would take instructions on certain issues on Aadhaar after which the court had asked him to mention the matter again on October 30. Several petitions are pending in the top court which challenge the centre's move to make Aadhaar linkage with mobile number and bank accounts mandatory for welfare schemes and notifications.

Mamata Banerjee challenges Aadhaar in Supreme Court, hearing on October 30