The ED’s indictment couldn’t be more clear: “Natwar Singh along with his associates jointly and severally, without the general or special permission of the Reserve Bank of India, dealt in foreign exchange totalling $898,027 in respect of two oil contracts.’’

Then Ambassador Dayakar has admitted to the ED that not only did Natwar telephone him in Baghdad asking him to ensure that Andaleeb’s firm Hamdaan Exports was not “discriminated’’ against, he followed this up by actively following up Natwar Singh’s bidding.

According to Dayakar’s statement, the day after the Indian Embassy in Bagdhad hosted a reception for the Congress delegation led by Natwar, Andaleeb again visited the Embassy.

The ED’s report states that on his (Andaleeb’s) request, the Ambassador issued a number of “note verbales” to the Foreign Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Trade, recommending Hamdaan for supply of various commodities and also to issue tender documents to Hamdaan Exports.’’

Five separate note verbales were issued for Hamdaan Exports to supply commodities such as sugar, lentils, construction material, wheat and rice as well as to supply requirements for shopping centres. These are now part of the case evidence.

Dayakar has also admitted that, “in the case of Hamdaan Exports, formal inquiries were dispensed with and unusually large number of Note Verbales were issued one after another in quick succession based on the introduction of Jagat Singh.’’

Despite these statements, Natwar Singh told the ED: “I did not speak to the Ambassador about Andaleeb...I have no knowledge of his business activities...he did not ask me to help him in his business.’’

... contd.