Uttarakhand sting operation: CBI summons former CM Harish Rawat for inquiry

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday summoned former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat in connection with the sting operation. 

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 will join investigation on Monday.

Rawat had on Sunday 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.