Harish Rawat steps down from two Congress posts after ED recovers cash, gold and watches from aide

Dehradun: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat has stepped down from two party positions following an Enforcement Directorate (ED) search at the residence of his former aide, Chandan Singh Jeena, where the agency said it recovered unaccounted cash, gold and luxury watches.

Harish Rawat announced his decision late Friday evening, saying he did not want anything involving him to weaken the Congress party's ongoing fight against corruption.

He resigned as a member of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee executive and as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee at the national level.

Harish Rawat clarified that he was not holding any government position, so there was no question of resigning from a government post.

ED searches linked to 2016 recruitment exam

The ED conducted searches on September 10 at several locations in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The searches are linked to alleged irregularities in the 2016 Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari (VPDO) examination.

According to the ED, around Rs 32 lakh in unaccounted cash, gold and luxury watches were recovered from Jeena's residence.

The agency also searched the premises of the then UKSSSC chairman and secretary, the then examination controller, the owner of the private computer agency involved in OMR processing and other people allegedly connected to the case.

Rawat defends his former aide

Jeena had served as Rawat's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) when he was chief minister from 2014 to 2017 and later handled responsibilities associated with Rawat's political and government work.

Rawat said Jeena was a decent and hardworking person but added that if evidence proves he tampered with OMR sheets during the recruitment process, it would be deeply disappointing.

The former CM said he did not believe the allegations against his former aide at this stage and maintained that the facts would emerge during the investigation.

Rawat says he is ready to face accountability

Rawat said recruitment irregularities could have serious consequences for Uttarakhand's youth and said anyone who has evidence of his involvement in interfering with appointments or recruitment should approach the CBI, ED or state police.

He also apologised to the people of Uttarakhand for any mistake or lapse on his part, whether intentional or otherwise, that may have affected the future of the state's youth.

Rawat said more than 42,000 government posts were filled during his three-year tenure, while recruitment boards were also created for sectors, including education and healthcare.

He recalled that complaints had earlier led him to take action against the then UKSSSC chairman, including seeking his removal or resignation.

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