CBI summons Uttarakhand CM in sting video case

This is the second time in seven months that Rawat has been summoned by the agency for questioning with regard to the PE.
Former Uttrakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. (PTI)
Former Uttrakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. (PTI)

NEW DELHI: The CBI has summoned Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat asking him to appear before it on December 26 for questioning in connection with a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) relating to sting operation purportedly involving him.
    
This is the second time in seven months that Rawat has been summoned by the agency for questioning with regard to the PE.

The serving CM had earlier appeared before the agency on May 24 when he was extensively grilled for about five hours.
    
The CBI had registered the PE to probe the alleged sting operation conducted by a private television channel on April 29 purportedly showing Rawat offering bribes to rebel Congress MLAs for seeking their support during a floor test in the Uttarakhand Assembly.
    
Agency sources said Rawat has been summoned again as he did not furnish complete details on many aspects relating to the ongoing inquiry.
    
The agency had registered the PE following a reference from the State government (during President's rule) and subsequent notification from the Centre.
 
Rawat had initially denied the allegation terming the video released by the rebel Congress legislators as fake but subsequently admitted that he was on camera in the sting operation.
 
The PE does not have sanction under the Criminal Procedure Code. During the PE, the agency verifies claims made in a complaint coverts it into a Regular Case (RC) if sufficient material evidence is gathered during the course of the enquiry. The PE is closed if there are insufficient materials to register an RC.

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