Tuesday, May 3 2005 22:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking a dig at the Justice Phukan Commission probing the Defence deals scam, the Congress today (May 3, 2005) said it was a "body for covering up the truth."

"The Congress has never accepted this Commission, which was appointed by the previous Government after the resignation of Justice Venkataswamy. We consider it as a commission for not uncovering the truth, but to cover it up," AICC (All India Congress Committee) spokesperson Anand Sharma said.

His comments came in reaction to Justice Phukan's reported statement that he had used an Indian Air Force aircraft only for 'genuine purposes' and that he had not compromised on the investigation.

Some Parliament members have alleged in the House that Justice Phukan and other members of the Commission enjoyed 'junket' trips to several places by IAF aircraft in violation of rules.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee will make a statement on this issue in Parliament on Wednesday (May 4).

Suggesting that the Commission had always enjoyed the patronage of former Defence Minister George Fernandes, who faces charges of corruption, Sharma said "it is public knowledge how Mr Fernandes treated the Commission."