CBI questions Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat

New Delhi, May 24 The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday began questioning Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat in an alleged political horse-trading case, in the wake of a "sting" video showing him offering bribes to buy legislative support in the state assembly.

Rawat reached the CBI office here around 11.15 a.m. and his questioning began a little later, an official told IANS.

The "sting operation" video showed Rawat offering money to rebel Congress lawmakers to win their support ahead of a March 28 floor test in the 70-member Uttarakhand house. The floor test never happened as the state came under President's Rule a day earlier.

The video was shot by a Noida-based private TV channel, Samachar Plus, and was released on March 26 by nine Congress legislators who had rebelled against Rawat's government.