Uttarakhand sting operation: Former CM Harish Rawat not to appear before CBI today, seeks more time

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Monday sought more time to appear before Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection to the first sting operation, which was conducted after crisis began in the hill state.

Speaking to the media, Rawat said, "I have requested CBI for some time and I am hope that they will understand the situation and grant me the same."

The former chief minister also said that he will appear before the investigation agency and give them all the information that they will seek from him.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on last Thursday summoned Rawat for inquiry,

The sting CD made by the editor-in-chief of a private news channel and circulated by the nine Congress rebels, who created a political crisis in the state by siding with opposition BJP in the state Assembly, purportedly shows Rawat negotiating a money deal with the journalist to buy the support of MLAs who had revolted against him.

Rawat later virtually accepted his presence in the video. He, however, said meeting a journalist was not a crime.

Claiming innocence, Rawat said if the CD contained evidence of him having made an offer in cash or kind in exchange for the support of disgruntled MLAs he was ready to be hanged in public.

"If any evidence is found against me like me offering money or post to anybody, hang me at Clock tower," he said.

Alleging that the sting operation and the CBI probe into it were part of a "criminal conspiracy" by BJP to topple an elected government, he dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah to put him in jail if he is found in the wrong.