Truth will out

Among the terms of reference for the Justice R.S. Pathak Inquiry Authority was one that required it to inquire into whether any Indian entity or individual received any money or other consideration in connection with the UN oil-for-food contracts. After his exertions spanning a nine-month period Justice Pathak, while acknowledging that Natwar Singh had indeed influenced and facilitated the procurement of contracts, stated that there was no material to prove he had derived any financial or personal benefit from them.

This is a curious conclusion to have reached in the light of Andaleeb Sehgal8217;s significant testimony on oath to the Enforcement Directorate, and reported by this paper. Justice Pathak surely had access to the text of these revelations over which Jagat Singh, Natwar Singh8217;s son, looms very large. Indeed, going by Sehgal8217;s account, it would appear that the whole project was conceived, expedited and brought to fruition by Jagat Singh. He appears to have micro-managed every aspect of the deal, from exploiting his father8217;s personal goodwill with the Iraqi authorities of the day, to ensuring the discreet transfer of the monetary gains from the deal to off-shore accounts. Even if we were to presume that Sehgal in his anxiety to save himself chose to underplay his own role in the matter, it still does not mean that Jagat Singh can be presumed innocent of the charge of having gained financially from these contracts. Of course, Justice Pathak did not in his report directly exonerate Jagat Singh of financial impropriety, as he did Natwar Singh. But the father-son distinction is a false one given that the former foreign minister has never distanced himself from his son and his financial dealings in all these months since the Volcker revelations first figured in the public sphere and has, in fact, never failed to defend his integrity.

Public inquiries are often presumed to be whitewash jobs, which is of course a pity given the important purpose they are meant to serve: the full disclosure of a matter of urgent public interest. Going by this measure, the Pathak inquiry has failed us.

As for the truth, it will emerge 8212; sooner or later, and despite inquiry committee reports.