CBI asks Rawat to appear on May 24

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued third summon to CM Harish Rawat to appear on May 24. 

After Nainital High Court denied to put stay order on this investigation, it may trouble and create another acid test for Rawat who lost the crown for 53 days and skillfully avoided the sequel of Arunachal Pradesh.

Earlier on two occasions, CM Rawat couldn’t appear before CBI as on May 9, he was completely involved for next day floor test (10 May) as announced by Supreme Court. He won after long legal battle but the CBI probe has put break on his mission of fast recovery of state from two months stalemate.  

On other occasion, CM complained of poor health and ripe age to visit Delhi for CBI enquiry. Although, he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi on 12 May at 10 Janpath along with other state cabinet ministers, which was criticized by state BJP chief Ajay Bhatt.  

In a cabinet meeting chaired by state finance minister Indira Hridayesh on May 15 took the decision of withdrawing of notification issued by Governor on 2 April during President’s rule. But top investigation agency denied their request. The cabinet nodded to constitute special investigation team (SIT) to investigation this high-controversial case.  

“The state government was under Centre rule when a notification of CBI probe over sting row was forwarded by governor. The allegations and counter-allegations of horse-trading ensued from both political parties (BJP and Congress), told CM Harish Rawat in a press conference held here on Sunday.”