Harish Rawat sting operation: Congress to respond legally to CBI notice

The Congress Party on Friday said that it would respond legally to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) notice to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat in connection with the alleged sting operation.

"We don't have any information in this regard, when we get any details then only we can comment on it. When we get the CBI's letter, we will go through its legality and cross verify it with the letter that we have sent to the CBI. Only then, we will come to a conclusion," Congress leader Indira Hridayesh told ANI.

"The CBI will give a notice and we will answer it legally. Harish Rawat is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and a decision will be taken after all considerations," she added.

The comments from the grand old party come after the CBI rejected the Uttarakhand Government's notification withdrawing permission for it to probe a sting operation allegedly involving Rawat.

The investigative agency had on Thursday maintained that it will soon call Rawat for certain clarifications in the case.

The CBI, on its part, said they have received a communication from the Uttarakhand Government and are getting the matter legally examined.

The video shows Rawat indulging in horse trading a day before President's rule was imposed in Uttarakhand on March 27. The BJP had alleged that the sting was proof of unfair means used by the Rawat regime to stay in power.

Rawat has maintained his innocence in the matter and termed the entire episode as a conspiracy to tarnish his image.

The Centre revoked President's rule from Uttarakhand on May 11 after Rawat proved his majority on the floor of the house.