Uttarakhand sting video: CBI registers preliminary enquiry

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI) on Friday registered a preliminary enquiry into a ‘sting operation’ allegedly involving former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Uttarakhand’s rebel Congress MLAs had last month released a video purportedly showing Rawat offering them bribes for support during floor test in the assembly. Rawat had called the video fake.

As part of its preliminary enquiry, the agency also questioned a journalist, Umesh Kumar, who purportedly shot that video.

CBI sources said Umesh Kumar was questioned by the agency for nearly two and half hours at the CBI headquarters here. "CBI has asked me to provide raw footage of the sting which I will give tommorow," Umesh said, coming out of the CBI office.

Two days before Rawat was to face the vote of confidence on March 28, rebel Congress MLAs led by former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna alleged that they were offered bribe by Rawat for support during the floor test in the Assembly and released video of a "sting" operation purportedly showing Rawat who called it "fake".

Congress had alleged that the "dirty tricks department" of BJP president Amit Shah is at work, while the saffron party had demanded "immediate dismissal" of the Rawat government.

The Centre had imposed President’s Rule in Uttarakhand last demanmonth after receiving a report from the Governor in which he had referred to some reports, alleging the Congress of involving in horsetrading to save its government.

Before that, Uttarakhand assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal had disqualified nine rebel Congress MLAs from the House when they expressed displeasure over the functioning of Rawat as the chief minister.

The state will remain under President’s Rule till further orders by the Supreme Court. Hearing in apex court would resume from May 3 on the central government’s plea challenging the Uttarakhand high court order that had revoked President’s Rule in the hill state.