If persons involved in the Iraq oil-for-food scandal remained silent on the alleged direct involvement of former Minister Natwar Singh and his son Jagat Singh, it was with very good reason.

For, all the key players, including Hamdaan Exports owner Andaleeb Sehgal, NRI businessman Aditya Khanna and ex-Ambassador Aneil Mathrani had given statements on oath to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) directly implicating them in the scam. Both father and son have consistently denied the allegations.

The statements of the accused, along with corroborative evidence received by the ED from the Serious Fraud Office in London, are contained in the 102-page complaint attached with the show-cause notices issued to nine persons and companies on September 2.

Documents, available with The Indian Express, reveal that the Andaleeb Sehgal, the trader named in the Volcker report, was the one who gave statements on oath in which he claimed how Jagat Singh gave him instructions to transfer $103,500 as his share of the oil commissions into two off-shore companies, Coburg and Fynmores.

This is what Andaleeb claimed happened after the oil deals were signed and Swiss firm Masefield was introduced to them by Aditya Khanna. “Jagat Singh told me that whatever the final remuneration could be shared between us. I also asked Jagat as to where he would like to receive his share of the commissions. He asked me to be in touch with a gentleman called Peter Cooper at a law firm called Kennedy’s in London.’’

Andaleeb continues: “I contacted Peter Cooper, who gave me the particulars of a company called Coburg. I forwarded these details to George Curmi (who was working with Aditya Khanna and was the liaison man for Masefield), who then transferred $89,000 to the accounts of Coburg.

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