KOLKATA: On May 20, 2011, just after being sworn in as the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee had enquired about Rajeev Kumar, whom she had accused of snooping on opposition leaders before coming to power. Sensing that she might transfer him to a less significant post, officers advised her against it. Eight years on, her decision to sit on a dharna at Metro Channel to protest against CBI’s move to question the very Kumar has not come as a surprise to them.

In the past eight years, the 1989 batch IPS officer earned her confidence and became one of her most-trusted lieutenants and served as Bidhannagar and Kolkata CP. “She was told he was a visionary officer with modern-day policing skills. She listened to the advice and the rest is history. Kumar has proved his worth through his policing acumen and deft knowledge of technology. Today, he is one of the closest officers of the CM. It is not surprising she has come out in full support of Kumar,” a senior police officer said.

As SSP (CID), Kumar is credited with cracking the 2001 Khadim abduction case and the probe into 2002 USIS attack, Kolkata’s first brush with jihadi out-fits. For a long time, he had been under life-threat and had to travel in a vehicle without a licence plate.

A BE in computer science , Kumar hails from UP and his wife is an IRS officer. He was among the officers of Kolkata Police who set up the STF to probe terrorism and anti-Maoist cases. He is also credited with establishing the cyber security wing. “If he is not working, he is upgrading himself. Nobody can recall Kumar being idle. He is a workaholic and inspires his colleagues to put in their best,” said one of his juniors. Kumar had enrolled for PhD and even wrote columns briefly.

A fitness enthusiast, he has exercise equipment in his ante-chamber. “He takes short breaks to do push-ups and crunches,” said an officer.



In Video: Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar: From bete noire to best-loved, in 8 years