‘Have Faith in Judiciary’: Ex-Uttarakhand CM Rawat on Sting Case

A video from 2016 purportedly shows Rawat discussing money to win back the support of disgruntled MLAs.

Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat.

(Photo: PTI)

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat, who is facing CBI inquiry in a sting case, has expressed faith in the judiciary and said the episode will put to test several institutions.

“I have faith in the judiciary and God. Shouldn’t the role of defectors and their co-actors also be probed. I am confident that in the history of the country’s judicial history this episode will put to test several institutions,” Rawat said in a social media post.

The CBI had booked the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister for allegedly attempting to indulge in horse-trading, officials said on Wednesday, 23 October.

The case is the outcome of a CBI probe into a purported video recorded in 2016 when the state was under President's rule.

The video purportedly showed the Congress leader discussing money to win back the support of disgruntled MLAs who had crossed over to the BJP so that he could get back to power.

The Pradesh Congress Committee has rallied behind Rawat, accusing the Centre of framing its leaders in false cases.

“The party stands like a rock behind Harish Rawat. A conspiracy is underway throughout the country to cow down and silence the Congress by misusing agencies like the CBI and the ED against its leaders.”

Suryakant Dhasmana, PCC Senior Vice President

Recently, the Uttarakhand High Court gave the nod to the CBI to go ahead with its investigation in the case and lodge an FIR against Rawat after the agency submitted a report in a sealed cover on the preliminary inquiry.