Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Dehradun on Saturday for questioning linked to alleged irregularities in the 2016 Village Development Officer (VPDO) recruitment examination. The agency questioned him for approximately 4 hours.
Rawat arrived at the ED office at around 11:00 AM, wearing a graph of his mother around his neck. He reached the office alone, about 36 hours after receiving the notice, and said he had not informed anyone about his visit.
The ED’s notice concerns an alleged money-laundering case connected with the 2016 VPDO recruitment process. The available information does not establish that Rawat has been charged or convicted in the matter.
Documents sought by the agency
Before leaving for the office, Rawat released a video message about the notice. He said the ED had asked for details from older income-tax returns, along with documents related to properties belonging to him and members of his family.
Rawat said the notice did not clearly explain who was included under the term “family”. He described his family as large and pointed out that his daughters are married. According to him, collecting documents from all relevant family members within a short period was difficult.
He told reporters after the questioning that he had received the notice 2 days earlier. His account also indicated that the request involved records covering both his own financial affairs and those of relatives.
Rawat alleges political vendetta
Speaking outside the ED office at about 4:00 PM, Rawat alleged that the current government was acting with a motive of revenge. He said the summons reflected the authority and arrogance of those in power rather than an ordinary investigative process.
Rawat also linked the development to concerns within the ruling party about elections. He said governments should not pursue cases out of political hostility and argued that such conduct would harm the country’s functioning.
He said his concern was not limited to himself, but extended to the country and society. These remarks represent Rawat’s political allegation; the material available does not include an ED response to that accusation.
Earlier searches linked to the case
About 2 weeks before Rawat’s appearance, the ED conducted searches at locations associated with Chandan Singh Jina, his former officer on special duty. Following those searches, claims emerged that cash, gold and expensive watches had been recovered.
The available report presents those items as claimed recoveries and does not provide an independent inventory or a detailed agency statement. It also does not state whether any court has reached a finding on the alleged recruitment irregularities or the related money-laundering accusations.
Rawat’s summons followed those searches, bringing the former chief minister into the agency’s ongoing inquiry connected with the 2016 recruitment examination.
BJP leader Mahendra Bhatt responds
BJP Uttarakhand president Mahendra Bhatt criticised Rawat’s decision to wear his mother’s graph while appearing for questioning. Bhatt called its use for political purposes unfortunate.
Bhatt said that a person who had done nothing wrong should not be afraid of an investigation. He argued that dramatic political actions would neither affect the inquiry nor change public opinion.
He described Rawat’s mother as respected and virtuous, and said Rawat should have followed the values associated with her. Bhatt further alleged that investigations into irregularities during Rawat’s government had led to what he called political manoeuvring by the former chief minister.
Bhatt’s comments are political criticism and do not amount to a judicial finding against Rawat. The available material records the competing positions of Rawat and the BJP state president, but does not report a final outcome in the case.
Conclusion
Rawat has appeared before the ED for questioning in the alleged money-laundering investigation tied to the 2016 VPDO recruitment case. He has denied the political implication of the action and alleged vendetta, while the investigation’s final legal outcome remains unreported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why did Harish Rawat appear before the ED?
He was questioned in connection with an alleged money-laundering case linked to irregularities in the 2016 VPDO recruitment examination.
Q. How long did the questioning last?
The ED questioned Rawat for about 4 hours on Saturday.
Q. When did Rawat reach the ED office?
He arrived in Dehradun at around 11:00 AM and later spoke to reporters at about 4:00 PM.
Q. What documents did the ED seek?
Rawat said the agency requested older income-tax return details and property-related documents concerning him and family members.
Q. What did Mahendra Bhatt say?
The BJP Uttarakhand president criticised Rawat’s use of his mother’s graph and said political theatrics would not affect the investigation or public opinion.
