New Delhi: Justice (retd) K Venkataswami, who quit as Tehelka probe chairman, amidst controversy of appointment to another post during pending of inquiry, said his report was almost ready and would have been completed if one more extension was granted to the commission.

Justice Venkataswami, who since resigned from both the posts, described as "unfortunate" the controversy that had surrounded his appointment as chairman of the Authority on Advance Ruling in Customs and Excise Department and said he had "no option" but to quit.

With regard to the past transactions in Defence deals, the report is almost ready and "only final touches" are to be given, the retired Supreme Court judge told a press conference.

"With regard to 2-D references, everything is ready except for the financial aspects," Justice Venkataswami said.

"With one more extension, I surely would have given the final report but controversy arose," he said.

Justice Venkataswami said he had held 181 sittings, examined 50 witnesses and passed 720 interim orders and "so far nobody has complained".

Regarding the controversy, he said it was not for the first time that a judge was heading more than one office.

He said he had been offered the chairmanship of the Authority on Advance Ruling in Customs and Excise Department by the then Chief Justice and he had taken the decision to accept it after consulting his wife to honour the Chief Justice.

The offer was made in February this year while the government order came in May, Justice Venkataswami said.

PTI