CBI questions Harish Rawat over sting video allegations

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday questioned Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat in connection with a probe into a sting video that allegedly showed him negotiating a deal to lure rebel Congress legislators.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday questioned Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat in connection with a probe into a sting video that allegedly showed him negotiating a deal to lure rebel Congress legislators.

Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat talking with media person before the CBI investigation at New Delhi on Tuesday. (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

Rawat was questioned in the case for the first time a fortnight ago, on May 24, when the agency claimed he had not shared “complete details”. The agency on Tuesday questioned Rawat for over two hours. A CBI source, while refusing to comment on whether Rawat cooperated in the grilling, said he may be questioned again “if and when required”.

Rawat told mediapersons later he is cooperating with the probe and would appear before the CBI again whenever he is called. He sought widening of the probe to ascertain the role of the journalist who conducted the sting and his political rivals.

The (CBI) registered a preliminary enquiry on April 29 when Uttarakhand was under President’s Rule. The sting video allegedly showed Rawat negotiating a deal to lure rebel Congress legislators to rustle up support for a floor test on March 28 — which never took place. The source said, “The probe is also examining a key legal issue — if any horse-trading actually took place.”