By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 26 Dec: The ongoing probe in the Pakhro range of Corbett National Park seems to be widening now and is closing in on certain individuals considered close to former Forest Miniter Harak Singh Rawat. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former District Panchayat President Laxmi Rana for questioning in the case. It has been claimed by sources that Laxmi Rana today reached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Dehradun for questioning regarding the financial transaction case in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. ED officials are questioning Rana on various points.
Besides this, it is also learnt that the ED has also issued a notice to Tushit Rawat, son of former cabinet minister and Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat, asking him to also appear for questioning.
The ED team, investigating financial transactions in the Corbett Tiger Reserve case, summoned Laxmi Rana today. She arrived at the ED office in Dehradun at around 10:15 a.m. and the officials began questioning her. This is not the first time Rana has been called for questioning by the ED. Previously, she was asked to provide information on more than 30 points. Sources claimed that her responses on many points were not found satisfactory, and she did not answer many of those questions. Hence, she was summoned today. The investigating agency has asked her to address these incomplete questions.
The case involves illegal construction and tree felling in the Pakhro Range of Corbett Tiger Reserve. While the CBI is investigating other activities including illegal construction and illegal felling of trees, the ED is focusing on the financial transactions related to the case. The ED is working to unravel the financial aspects of the matter, and apart from Harak Singh Rawat, his close associates are also being questioned.
Laxmi Rana, considered close to Harak Singh Rawat, has been a strong political figure in Congress in districts Pauri and Rudraprayag. Sources claim that she owes her political position and influence to Harak Singh Rawat. It may be recalled that Rana has previously served as the District Panchayat President and held various positions in the Congress party.
It may be pertinent to remind here that Damyanti Rawat, another lady official considered to be close to Harak Singh Rawat, was also suspended just a few days in another case related to corruption. Damyanti Rawat is a Block Level Education Officer and had been appointed on deputation to the post of Karmkaar Kalyan Board Secretary when Harak Singh Rawat was the Labour Minister. During her posting, she faced charges of financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 70 crores during her tenure with the Karmkaar Kalyan Board. Damyanti Rawat was posted as Block Education Officer in Kirti Nagar Block of district Tehri at the time of her suspension.
