Andaleeb Sehgal moves SC seeking stay of govt direction

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) Andaleeb Sehgal, a close relative of former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, has moved the Supreme Court seeking stay of the government direction ordering investigations by Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT), the Excise department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the basis of the findings of Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority Report.

Andaleeb Sehgal is the main accused of the Oil-for-Food scam.

The writ petition filed by Sehgal challenges the validity of Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority Report on the grounds that he has not been heard despite having been invited by the authority.

The Supreme Court will hear the petition on Monday.

Sehgal had earlier prayed to the High Court to issue direction to the Union government not to table the report in Parliament. But the plea was rejected by the High Court.

The main grievance of the petitioner is that the entire proceedings conducted by Justice Pathak was ''viciated by the violation of principle of natural justice and fair play''.

M/s Hamdaan Exports, the firm owned by Andaleeb Sehgal, was reported to be the main beneficiary of the scam which took place during Saddam Hussain's regime in Iraq in 2001.

UNI AKS/SC PR RP HS1710