Journalist who ‘stung’ Harish Rawat moves PMO and CVC

The sting, aired on March 26, showed Rawat striking a deal with a journalist for bringing nine rebel legislators back to Congress the party fold. He was seen offering crores of rupees to the rebels and a ‘free hand’ for Harak Singh Rawat, who was minister in his cabinet and engineered split in the party.

Although Uttarakhand police did not file a case after a sting video was aired that purportedly showed former chief minister Harish Rawat offering bribe to rebels, the journalist behind the video has moved a complaint in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the central vigilance commission (CVC).

The sting, aired on March 26, showed Rawat striking a deal with a journalist for bringing nine rebel legislators back to Congress the party fold. He was seen offering crores of rupees to the rebels and a ‘free hand’ for Harak Singh Rawat, who was minister in his cabinet and engineered split in the party.

But in this high-voltage political episode, police have avoided taking any action. “This is a political case,” said Sadanand Date, senior superintendent of police (Dehradun), when asked if a case was been filed against Rawat or others.

The BJP has demanded a court case be filed against Harish Rawat for offering bribes to public servants.

“Our party’s stand is very clear. We had demanded action against Rawat and still we stick to the demand,” said Virendra Bisht, BJP general secretary.

Umesh Kumar, editor-in-chief of Samachar Plus TV channel and the man who made the sting, said, “On April 18, PMO acknowledged my complaint in which I have highlighted how a public representative was offering bribe and no action has been taken against him under the Indian Penal Code.” He added that a similar complaint was filed with the CVC as well.