CBI begins probe into Harish Rawat sting CD case

Gairsain: In more trouble for former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday began its investigation into a sting operation CD released by rebel Congress leaders alleging that the former tried to woo them with money.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had sent the Uttarakhand sting CD to the Chandigarh forensics laboratory for examining the authenticity of the CD. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory, in its report submitted to the government, said that the sting operation CD released by rebel Congress leaders against Rawat was genuine.

The CD was released by rebel nine Congress leaders, who claimed Rawat had tried to win their support by offering money.

The main opposition BJP had earlier demanded a CBI probe into the case, claiming that Rawat had lost his credibility after the CD came to fore and accused him of trying to shield his aides.

The former Uttarakhand chief minister had rejected the allegations made by the BJP, saying all charges against him were politically motivated and baseless.

Rawat even dared the BJP to produce the original CD so that it could be sent for a forensic examination.

The BJP-led opposition had created an uproar in the state assembly in the recent past, forcing several adjournments of the proceedings.