Regarding the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the case of sting operation on former Chief Minister Harish Rawat allegedly trying to buy the support of MLAs during his term in office, the high court has set the next date of hearing on November 1.
The court has directed the CBI and centre to not take any further action till the said date. However, it has also stated that the CBI is free to lodge an FIR against Rawat on the basis of its preliminary enquiry.
Congress leader and Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal was in Nainital to represent Rawat in the High Court.
Hearing the matter, the single Bench of justice Sudhanshu Dhulia read the CBI’s preliminary investigation report and stated that this will be irrelevant if the March 31, 2016, order for CBI probe is wrong.
If the State Government’s order for SIT probe on May 15, 2016, is found valid, the CBI probe can also be quashed.
The single Bench also stated that the CBI is free to lodge an FIR in this case and also start its investigation but the action will depend on the final decision of the court.