Wednesday, May 4 2005 07:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress yesterday (May 3, 2005) said the Justice S N Phukan Commission was appointed by the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime to probe the Tehelka expose to "cover the truth rather un-covering it".

"First thing is that there are certain norms in using Air Force aircraft...Only the Prime Minister is entitled to use this aircraft and nobody else without the permission of the Defence Minister... It is Justice Phukan who has been making political statements. He was appointed to cover-up the truth rather than uncovering it," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters.

He said Justice Phukan was appointed as chairman of the Tehelka Inquiry Commission when circumstances were created for the resignation of Justice Venkataswami.

"As chairman of the Inquiry Commission, he should not have spoken to the media but he did it. This raises questions about the authenticity of the probe process," Sharma said adding that the Congress and other Opposition parties had at that time opposed the setting of such commission and its terms and reference.

The Opposition had also demanded a probe in the matter by a joint parliamentary committee, which was rejected by the NDA Government, he pointed out.