Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today questioned Uttrakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat in connection with a sting operation in which he was allegedly shown offering bribe to rebel Congress MLAs to save his government. He was quizzed over five hours at CBI headquarters in New Delhi. Talking to media after the questioning, Mr. Rawat said he does not need to produce any proof for his innocence as he has done nothing wrong.<br/><br/>Few days back, Uttarakhand High Court had refused to quash the ongoing CBI probe into the sting operation following which the agency had summoned the Chief Minister. <br/><br/>The TV sting operation was done in March, when rebel Congress lawmakers voted against the state budget, triggering a political crisis. Later, Rawat government was sacked by the Centre and the state was placed under President's Rule. However, Congress knocked the door of the Court and Mr Rawat returned as Chief Minister after winning a trust vote ordered by the Supreme Court earlier this month.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is being questioned today by the CBI, which is investigating a sting which purportedly shows him giving bribes in exchange for support in a trust vote. A television channel had aired the sting in March, when nine rebel Congress lawmakers voted against the state government's budget, triggering a crisis. <br/><br/>The rebels, who have since joined the BJP, cited the video as proof of corruption. Mr Rawat was sacked by the Centre and the state was placed under President's Rule on March 27. Earlier this month, Mr Rawat returned as Chief Minister after winning a trust vote ordered by the Supreme Court.