Pune: Former Supreme Court Judge P B Sawant on August 18 night declined to head the single- member judicial inquiry commission to probe charges of corruption against four Democratic Front (DF) ministers levelled by noted Gandhian Anna Hazare and counter-charges against the social activist.

"I have withdrawn my consent to head the judicial probe panel," Sawant said. The retired judge said he has sent a letter to this effect to Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Asked why was he refusing to head the inquiry panel, Sawant said he was taking the step in view of reported statement by Hazare, who had demanded a three-member committee, that he would not co- operate with a single-member judge.

The DF government had announced Sawant's name to go into charges of corruption against DF ministers - Sureshdada Jain, Dr Padamsinh Patil, Dr Vijaykumar Gavit and Nawab Malik.

The panel was to go into charges of corruption against Hazare as well. Jain had resorted to a fast-unto- death demanding a probe by a retired judge into charges of corruption levelled by him against Hazare while running various public trusts.

PTI