UK : Ex CM Harish Rawat’s major decision following ED action: Announces intent to step down from two Congress posts
I am not resigning from the party : Harish Rawat
Dehradun : Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has taken a significant political decision following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the premises of his Personal Assistant (PA), Chandan Singh Jeena. Rawat stated that he wishes to step down as a member of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee’s executive body and as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee, ensuring that his association does not weaken the party’s anti-corruption campaign.<
In a lengthy post on the social media platform ‘X’, Rawat noted that reports were surfacing on television regarding the recovery of a large amount of cash and jewelry from his PA. He stated that the full details regarding these facts would emerge in due course. Rawat acknowledged that Chandan Singh Jeena had served as his OSD (Officer on Special Duty) and had handled significant responsibilities during his tenures in both the government and the party. Harish Rawat has also previously served as the in-charge of the Punjab Congress.In his post on ‘X’, he wrote that the raid on his associate’s home was an attempt to build a narrative against him, adding that if there is any evidence of involvement in a recruitment scam, it should be handed over to the CBI, ED, or the police.He clarified that since he does not hold any government office, the question of resignation does not arise; however, he intends to step down from his roles as a member of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee executive and as a permanent invitee to the national-level Congress Working Committee.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the Subordinate Services Selection Commission, Rawat stated that the commission was constituted with the future of the state’s youth in mind. He claimed that over 42,000 government posts were filled during his three-year tenure.Rawat mentioned that his government had compelled the Public Service Commission to conduct examinations on time. Additionally, recruitment boards were established for various sectors, including medical and education.He stated that if any ‘error of judgment’ occurred on his part regarding appointments during that process, he apologizes to the people of Uttarakhand.
‘If there is evidence of my involvement in recruitment, hand it over to investigative agencies’
Making a public appeal, Harish Rawat said that if anyone possesses evidence of his involvement in recruitment or appointment matters, it should be handed over to the CBI, ED, or state police.He remarked that individuals holding significant responsibilities must resist the temptation of corruption. If he committed any lapse—knowingly or unknowingly—that adversely affected the future of the state’s youth, he considers himself liable for punishment, and the law should penalize him.
It is noteworthy that the ED stated on Friday it had conducted raids on the premises of Harish Rawat’s personal assistant, Chandan Singh Jeena, as part of a money laundering investigation. According to the agency, a search of Jeena’s premises in Dehradun led to the recovery of ₹32 lakh in cash, gold coins and chains weighing approximately 200.5 grams, and 12 expensive watches. According to the ED, the recovered watches include brands such as Rolex, Rado, Piaget, Movado, Tissot, and Casio Edifice. The agency also stated that it has frozen ₹52.16 lakh deposited in the bank accounts of Jeena and his family members. His mobile phone has been seized for forensic examination. Case related to the 2016 Gram
According to the ED, this money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities in the Gram Panchayat Development Officer examination conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission in 2016. The case is based on four FIRs registered by the Uttarakhand Police and the Vigilance Bureau. The agency alleges that the OMR answer sheets for the examination were removed from the Commission’s custody and taken to the private residence of the then Secretary. There, roll numbers were marked on incompletely filled OMR sheets, which were then handed over to employees of a private computer agency. The ED claims that the OMR sheets were resealed after the answer bubbles were filled in or altered in exchange for illegal payments facilitated by alleged middlemen.
The ED stated that gold jewelry and unaccounted cash were also recovered from the premises of former Commission officials and their associates during the investigation. The agency claims that the cash found in Jeena’s possession and his expenditures do not align with his known sources of income.
