Friday, August 4 2006 13:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Lok Sabha was today rocked over 'leakage' of Pathak panel's report indicting former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh in Iraq's Oil-for- Food scam with the Opposition, Left parties and UPA partner RJD demanding an inquiry on the issue.

Dissatisfied with Government's response that nothing was given by it to the media with regard to the report, presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, BJP members stormed the well forcing Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to adjourn the House till 3 P.M.

As soon as the House assembled, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani was on his feet expressing 'surprise' over 'leakage' of the report of the Inquiry Committee, headed by former Chief Justice R S Pathak, on Volcker findings that Natwar Singh and Congress party were non-contractual beneficiaries' in UN's Oil-for-Food programme in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime.

"I was surprised when a TV channel reported that Congress party has been exonerated by the (Pathak Committee's) report even before it could come to the House," he said.

To this, the Speaker said he has already expressed 'strong resentment' that findings of the Pathak Committee appeared in the media even before it was officially tabled in the House which was in session.

"I have condemned this and expressed my resentment," Chatterjee said adding the House could not be guided by media reports.

Countering Advani, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi said, "There was no leakage of the report from the Government's side and it will be unfair to take the name of the (Congress) party."