Jagat Singh, son of former external affairs minister Natwar Singh, Friday handed over a letter to the Enforcement Directorate on the second day of his questioning in the Iraqi oil-payoff case to claim that his visit to Baghdad in 2001 was officially sanctioned by the then Indian Youth Congress president R S Surjewala.
Emerging after his over three-hour questioning by the ED officials, Jagat denied all charges about his involvement in the alleged scam, including those levelled by Aneil Mathrani, a one-time close associate of his father.
He circulated copies of a letter dated January 4, 2001 and signed by Surjewala, which speaks about the then IYC chief's intention to further ties.
Addressed to 'Whomsoever it may concern', the letter says, "I send greetings on behalf of the Indian Youth Congress. Jagat Singh, general secretary of the IYC, the bearer of this letter will be interacting with you in an effort to develop and strengthen the ties between our great organisations.
"We would also look forward to seeing you in India to pursue our common ideas and goals on secularism and socialism.
"We also look forward to the day that sanctions against your great nation are lifted."
Surjewala had earlier said that Jagat Singh had gone to Iraq in his personal capacity and had no sanction of the IYC.
Jagat had said earlier that he was not part of the official four-member Congress delegation that went to Iraq in 2001, but only accompanied his ailing father in his individual capacity.
He had, however, stated that Surjewala knew about his trip. Surjewala, who is now a minister in the Haryana government, had then said that Youth Congress did not send any official delegation to Iraq and Jagat went there in his individual capacity.
"Youth Congress has never sent any delegation to Iraq. Of course, he (Jagat) was my general secretary. Natwar Singhji was in-charge of foreign affairs cell and Jagat Singh could have gone anywhere in his individual capacity," Surjewala, who is now a minister in the Haryana government, had said.
Jagat was also critical of the statements made by India's former Ambassador to Croatia Aneil Mathrani, who was also part of the delegation which went to Iraq.
"The Enforcement Directorate is going according to what Aneil Mathrni has alleged in that article to India Today. Most of it is totally incorrect. After all they are just allegations and everybody is aware of it," he said.
