Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in Dehradun regarding alleged irregularities in the 2016 Village Panchayat Development Officer recruitment exam. The probe includes scrutiny of his financial records and follows recent raids on his former aide.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in Dehradun on Saturday to face questioning regarding a 2016 recruitment case. The federal agency is investigating alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for Village Panchayat Development Officers, which occurred during his tenure as Chief Minister. The investigation centers on the Subordinate Services Selection Commission, which managed the state-level recruitment drive at that time. Allegations regarding the integrity of the selection process have remained a subject of ongoing scrutiny, and the current agency focus involves tracing potential financial links related to these activities and evaluating adherence to official protocols.
During his appearance, the former Chief Minister was asked to provide a comprehensive set of financial documentation. This includes historical Income Tax Returns and detailed asset disclosures for himself as well as his extended family members. The former Chief Minister stated that he cooperated with the summons and presented himself before the agency, though he remarked on the logistical challenges of compiling archival financial records for a large, extended family.
The investigation has expanded beyond the former Chief Minister’s immediate actions to include members of his former administrative team. On September 10, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at various locations in Dehradun, including the residence of Chandan Singh Jeena. Jeena previously served as an Officer on Special Duty when Rawat was the Chief Minister and is currently his personal assistant. The agency reportedly recovered cash and jewelry during these raids, which has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing probe.
Following the developments on September 10 and the subsequent discovery of assets, Harish Rawat announced his intention to resign from all active party positions on September 12. This decision came amid significant public and political discussion surrounding the recruitment case and the potential involvement of his close associates.
The next stage of the investigation will involve the agency analyzing the financial disclosures submitted by the former Chief Minister. Observers will monitor the legal progress of the case, specifically whether the evidence gathered leads to further formal charges or if the investigation moves toward other individuals linked to the 2016 recruitment process. The timeline for the agency to process the submitted documentation and any subsequent legal developments will be the next important phase to follow.