ED gets PMO nod to grill Puducherry LG

The Prime Minister's Office has given the nod to questioning of Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh by the Enforcement Directorate for his alleged links with suspected money launderer Hasan Ali Khan.

Sources said the clearance was given when the file seeking such permission reached the PMO. They said that governors enjoy immunity only in matters relating to discharge of their constitutional duties and "in this case, there was no need for permission from the PMO."

Home minister P Chidambaram had said yesterday his ministry was working out modalities for recording the statement of the Lt Governor before the ED. "The LG is willing to make a statement to the Enforcement Directorate," he had said after a meeting with Singh.

The ED is believed to have sent summons to Singh after his name cropped up during questioning of a Bihar-based Congress leader Amlendu Pandey in connection with recommendation for expeditious issuance of passport to Khan, a Pune stud farm owner. Singh has admitted to having given such a recommendation but claimed he never knew him.