The Central Bureau of Investigation, which questioned Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday on the alleged sting operation that showed him offering bribes to MLAs, said he has been called for another round of questioning as “he could not furnish complete details on many issues”.
The agency, however, refused to divulge the issues on which the Chief Minister allegedly did not share full details. While the CBI did not reveal when he has been summoned again, Mr. Rawat said he has asked to join the probe on June 7.
Emerging from the CBI headquarters after four hours of questioning, Mr. Rawat told the media that he was cooperating in the investigation, that his party [Congress] had also directed him to do so.
“I have not committed any crime, nor do I have to submit any proof. I have never indulged in horse-trading and not even said that I need any MLA,” he said.
The Chief Minister alleged that he was being blackmailed by a journalist.
“Apart from the CBI, any other independent agency can investigate the matter and if any wrongdoing is found on my part, I am ready to apologise to the people,” said Mr. Rawat.
The Uttarakhand State cabinet, headed by Mr. Rawat, had on May 15 withdrawn the consent for a CBI probe. However, the agency discarded the notification, terming it as “legally not tenable”.
The Nainital Bench of the Uttarakhand High Court also did not intervene on the issue. The CBI earlier summoned Mr. Rawat twice, but he had sought more time to join the investigation.
The “sting” was conducted by Umesh Kumar, the chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Noida-based TV channel Samachar Plus. Hours after the tapes were released by the rebel Congress MLAs on March 26, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in the State, ousting Mr. Rawat.
The State government under the Governor had then recommended CBI investigations into the alleged sting operation, following which the agency initiated a preliminary inquiry.
According to the CBI, the “sting operation” was found to be genuine. The agency has also questioned the journalist and recorded the statement of an Uttarakhand MLA, who alleged that he was offered huge sums of money and an important government post for his support.
