CBI inquiry on to probe former Uttarakhand CM sting video

The CBI on Friday registered a preliminary enquiry to investigate the video which purportedly shows former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat offering rebel Congress MLAs bribes to support his government in a floor test in the Assembly.

According to sources, the agency also questioned a journalist as part of its investigation (preliminary enquiry) pertaining to the alleged sting operation. “The CBI has asked me to provide raw footage of the sting which I will give to the sleuths Saturday,” journalist Umesh Kumar said.

Sources said the preliminary enquiry was registered on the instructions of the state government, which is under President’s Rule, and further notification from the Central government.

Sources said Umesh Kumar, the journalist allegedly involved in the sting operation, was questioned by the agency for nearly two and a half hours at CBI headquarters here.

The Central government had imposed President’s Rule in Uttarakhand in March after receiving a report from the governor in which he had referred to some reports alleging the Congress was involved in horse-trading to save its government. Two days before Mr Rawat was to face a vote of confidence on March 28, rebel Congress MLAs led by former CM Vijay Bahuguna alleged that they were offered bribes by Mr Rawat.

“The sting CD being shown on news channels is fake. The reputation of the man behind it, who is associated with a private news channel, is not hidden from anyone. His antecedents must be probed,” Mr Rawat had said.