Oil scam accused Sehgal says Masfield paid commission to Saddam

New Delhi, June 1 (UNI) Oil-for-food scam prime accused Andaleeb Sehgal today submitted before the Delhi High Court that the multinational company Masfield had paid commission to the deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussain in his name without his knowledge.

Filing a petition for right for redressal before the Justive R S Pathak Commission of Inquiry, Sehgal informed a division bench headed by Justice T S Thakur that he was an agent for the Masfield company to negotiate with the Iraqi authorities on the 'Food for Oil' scheme.

Sehgal, the owner of Hamdaan Exports, had signed an agreement with the Masfield to negotiate the deal for the purchase of oil with the Iraqi authorities and he did not know about the commission paid for the contract, said Senior Counsel Rajiv Sawhany appearing for Sehgal.

He also said that he did not know who deposited the commission money in his accounts with Jordan National Bank while he was in India.

He submitted that he was a wheat exporter who had been exporting foodgrains to Russia and other countries in the West Asia.

Sehgal has sought direction of the Court to the Pathak Commission to allow him to be accompanied by his Lawyers during the interrogation and right to cross-examine the witnesses who had allegedly deposed against him.

Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra said it was a fact finding Commission and was adhering to all rules and norms.

The proceedings were being carried out in-camera and the petitioner was given due opportunity to redress his grievances.

''The Commission has declined the request made by the deponents for direction to the Enforcement Directorate to provide the copies of the documents and records. We are seriously prejudiced by this and are having to make a statement without the benefit of all our records and are threatened with penal consequences,'' said the petition.

While the Commission was interrogating Sehgal with the assistance of seven lawyers, the defendant was deprived of the assistance of a single advocate, said Mr Sawhany during his arguments.

''The petitioner has a right to be afforded a fair and proper opportunity of being heard before any report is rendered by the Commission,'' said the petition.

The Court heard the arguments from both the petitioner and government and reserved its order, which would be pronounced before the court going for vacation.

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