JOIN USThe CBI on Thursday summoned former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat in connection with its probe into the controversial sting operation on “buying” dissident MLAs.
The CD purportedly showed Rawat negotiating a money deal to buy the support of MLAs who had revolted against him.
CBI sources said the Congress leader has been summoned for questioning on Monday. The CBI registered a preliminary enquiry last week and quizzed Umesh Kumar, CEO of Samachar Plus channel who conducted the sting operation.
The investigators have also questioned a dissident MLA who claimed that Rawat had offered him Rs 2.5 crore and one of his ministers later approached him with an offer of Rs 10 crore.
The CBI’s summons to Rawat comes a day ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on an appeal filed by the Centre against Uttarakhand High Court’s order striking down President’s Rule in the state.
The registration of a preliminary enquiry came after a recommendation from the state government that is under President’s Rule.
The sting operation was aired 2 days before Rawat was to face the vote of confidence on March 28. Releasing the CD, rebel Congress MLAs led by former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna had claimed that Rawat offered them bribe for support during floor test in the Assembly.
Rawat had denied any wrongdoing, called the video “fake”, and said he was ready to face any probe. However, he virtually admitted meeting Kumar.
Sources said the CBI had earlier asked Kumar to submit raw footage of the sting.