CBI summons ex-Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat in horse trading case
The Hindu
CBI serves notice to ex-Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat at hospital; seeks voice samples in bribery case. Rawat expresses shock, requests new date citing health reasons. Case dates back to 2016 when video surfaced of Rawat allegedly buying support of MLAs during President's rule. CBI also booked ex-Cabinet Minister & CEO of news channel.
The officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday served notice to veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat. The investigative agency has asked Mr. Rawat, who is currently admitted at the Dehradun based Jolly Grant Hospital, to appear on November 6 to provide voice samples in connection with a case of bribery and horse trading.
Expressing shock over CBI officials issuing him a summon, Mr. Rawat took to social media and said that he was surprised by this act, given that he is hospitalised.
“On days when people come to the hospital to inquire about my health, the CBI came to issue me a summon. The agency must have felt that I pose a greater threat to the integrity, unity, security and democracy of the country, that is why they served me a notice in the hospital itself,” he added.
Mr. Rawat had met a car accident on October 25 in which he received minor injuries and had gone to Jolly Grant for check-ups following the accident.
Mr. Rawat sought a fresh date from the CBI citing health reasons. Sources in the agency said that are likely “to consider” his request.
The case dates back to 2016 when a video had surfaced that purportedly showed the ex-CM negotiating a deal to buy the support of MLAs who had rebelled against him. The State was under President’s rule at that time.
The CBI had also booked former Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat and CEO of Samachar Plus News Channel Umesh Kumar in the case.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.