Former Uttarakhand chief Harish Rawat questioned by ED in recruitment case

Former Uttarakhand chief minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat appeared before the Enforcement Directorate’s Dehradun office on Saturday for questioning in a case concerning alleged irregularities in a 2016 recruitment examination. The case relates to the Village Panchayat Development Officer examination conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission. Rawat entered the agency’s office after receiving a notice summoning him for questioning.

Before his appearance, Rawat posted a video saying he had received the notice two days earlier. He said the Enforcement Directorate had asked him to provide a substantial number of documents. According to Rawat, the requested material included previous Income Tax Returns and information about assets belonging to him and members of his family.

He said the notice referred to family documents but that he was unclear about which relatives were covered by that description. The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at several locations in Dehradun on September 10. One of the locations was the residence of Chandan Singh Jeena, Rawat’s current personal assistant, who had also served as his Officer on Special Duty while Rawat was chief minister.

Rawat entered the office wearing a photograph of his mother around his neck. He also said he had not informed anyone in advance about his visit to the agency. On September 12, Rawat said he would step down from all party posts after the Enforcement Directorate recovered cash and jewellery from his personal assistant’s house.

The source material reports the agency’s actions and Rawat’s account but does not state the outcome of Saturday’s questioning or indicate that charges have been established against him.