New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday summoned ousted Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat to Delhi for questioning on Monday in a corruption case.
The CBI on April 29 started investigating a videographed "sting operation" in which Rawat was purportedly seen talking to middlemen in a bid to strike a deal with dissident Congress MLAs to support him during a floor test in the 70-member Uttarakhand house.
Rawat has denied the allegation and called the video fake after it was released by the rebel Congress legislators.
Two days before Rawat was to face the vote of confidence on March 28, rebel Congress MLAs led by former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna alleged that they were offered bribe by Rawat for support during the floor test in the Assembly and released video of a "sting" operation purportedly showing Rawat.
The Union Home Ministry sent a CD of the video to the forensics laboratory in Chandigarh to examine its authenticity.
A CBI source said the forensic report "confirmed" that the CD was genuine after "which Harish Rawat was asked to appear on Monday for questioning".
The hill state is without an elected government after Rawat was dismissed following a rebellion in the ruling Congress. The central government imposed President`s Rule in the state on March 27.
Rawat has challenged the presidential proclamation and the matter is being heard by the Supreme Court.
The top court has suggested to the BJP-led central government to let Rawat prove his legislative majority on the floor of the house.
The central government on Wednesday sought two days to "seriously consider" the suggestion. The case comes for hearing on Friday.
