Volcker report: Vora deposes before Justice Pathak Commission

Congress treasurer Motilal Vora today deposed before the Justice Pathak Commission probing whether Indians named in the Volcker report on the Iraqi oil-for-food programme had any role in the scam.

Vora refused the divulge details saying ‘‘there is some confidentiality involved. All I can say is that I presented the view of the Congress before the Commission. He is understood to have denied any role of the Congress, named among ‘‘non-contractual beneficiaries,’’ in the report.

Former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh too figured on the list and had to resign following the controversy that it generated. Natwar Singh and son Jagat Singh had deposed earlier this week.

The Pathak Commission was set up in September 2005, with a six-month term extended in May by three months. Last fortnight in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said he hoped the Commission to complete its inquiry within the extended period.