Former top cop recalls CBI days

Former Delhi police commissioner, Neeraj Kumar, has detailed in an upcoming book ‘Dial D for Don’, how two cases charge-sheeted by his team during his time with the CBI have not had a single hearing in 13 long years and also recalled “very heavy political interference” faced by his colleagues in one of the two cases.

Mr Kumar told this newspaper due to the case that involved heavy political interference, he continues to face the wrath of the high and mighty even today. However, the retired officer also said political interference is an “occupational hazard” in the CBI. He also refused to mention which these cases are as they are “sub-judice”. Mr Kumar answered questions on corruption, cricket betting, money laundering and IPL betting case.

In one of the 11 true stories he details in his book, Mr Kumar talks about the 1993 Mumbai blasts and one of the many convicts in the case, Yakub Memon, who was hanged earlier this year. The story elaborates the sequence and circumstances leading to Yakub’s arrest and how his family was brought back to India. But when asked if Yakub got a raw deal, Mr Kumar replied, “I don’t want to comment on it now. We must respect and honour the court’s decision.”

On the critical issue of corruption, Mr Kumar said, “Leakage of government funds is one of the top sources of corruption in our country.

“A lot of government funds are issued but a small percentage of it reaches the public. Another source of corruption is economic offences such as banking frauds, counterfeit currency, corruption seen in import/export frauds and government servants seeking cuts and bribes.”

When asked what went wrong in the spot-fixing IPL case, in which charges against three IPL players including pacer S. Sreesanth were dropped, Mr Kumar said, “Nothing has gone wrong. The fact is there is no fitting law. According to the trial court’s opinion their conduct or illegal acts did not come under the purview of the existing laws. Prevention of Corruption in Sports Bill is pending in Parliament, in which fixing and betting are clearly defined.

The court’s decision was perhaps valid. But, we feel criminal case is still made out and have approached the high court. Let’s see what happens in HC and SC.”

Mr Kumar sought to dodge questions about the magnitude of corruption in cricket, big players involved, and former IPL CEO Lalit Modi’s claims regarding involvement of big names, stating he cannot speak on those issues as he is presently the chief adviser to the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

However, Mr Kumar conceded that “to some extent” the crores of money involved in cricket betting is connected to money laundering.

“The websites that are used for accepting bets are operated from a few places abroad. The money generated in black over here reaches foreign banks,” he said.