Monday, December 5 2005 16:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Aniel Matherani, former Indian envoy to Croatia, was today (Dec 5, 2005) questioned by Enforcement Directorate with regard to his reported claims that Union Minister Natwar Singh had been a beneficiary in Iraq's oil-for-food programme.

The ED, which is investigating whether any illegal foreign currency transaction had taken place, took Matherani from his residence in Vasant Kunj to its headquarters here to quiz him, official sources said.

Earlier, Matherani was questioned by the officials of Intelligence Bureau, ED and RAW at a secret location here soon after his arrival from Zagreb on Saturday night.

Matherani, a former member of Congress' Foreign Affairs cell, considered close to Natwar Singh, kicked off a political controversy here after his purported interview to a news magazine published on Friday.

He had reportedly claimed that Natwar Singh was involved in getting 'oil vouchers' for himself and the Congress party, triggering a political storm, with the Opposition stalling Parliament's proceedings and demanding resignation of Natwar Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi as the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council.

Matherani was part of the four-member Congress delegation led by Natwar Singh which visited Iraq in 2001 when the 'oil vouchers' are alleged to have been allotted. Natwar Singh has been named as the 'non-contractual beneficiary' in the UN's Volcker Committee report.

Matherani is believed to have been questioned about his reported claims. He was also questioned about Singh's role in the entire issue as also the alleged involvement of Jagat Singh and Andaleep Sehgal, they said.