The Hindu : National : V.P. Singh for probe into CBI `lapses'

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Friday, Jun 03, 2005

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National

V.P. Singh for probe into CBI `lapses'

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The former Prime Minister, V. P. Singh, on Thursday said there was no question of tendering an apology as demanded by the Congress for his role in the Bofors pay-offs case since he had never levelled any personal charges against Rajiv Gandhi. Also, he said a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be set up to probe the lapses made by the Central Bureau of Investigation in putting forth a proper case.

The Congress on Wednesday — in reaction to the Delhi High Court quashing charges against the Hindujas — had demanded a public apology from all those across the political spectrum "who, from a position of power, pursued a campaign of vilification against the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi."

Though the Congress did not name any political party or leader, Mr. Singh said he had been forced to speak out since he was being referred to in media reports. "I feel the United Progressive Alliance is a strong one and should be allowed to work. So, I did not want to say anything that could create tensions within. But the Congress statement has put me in a quandary. So I have decided to respond."

`No personal charges'

Stating that he had never made any personal charges against Rajiv Gandhi and reminding everyone that the First Information Report filed during his Government had not even contained his name, Mr. Singh said it was the National Democratic Alliance Government which had named him in the chargesheet.

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