Summons issued to Manmohan Singh in Coal Scam

A special court in Delhi on Wednesday summoned former prime minister Manmohan Singh as accused in a coal block allocation case. Reacting to the development, Dr. Singh said, “Of course, I am upset, but this is a part of life. I am sure that truth will prevail and I will get a chance to put forward my case with facts”.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar also summoned industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, former coal secretary P.C. Parakh and three others as an accused in the case for April 8.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday that former prime minister Manmohan Singh was paying for the “sin” committed by the Congress party after a Delhi court summoned him as accused in a coal block allocation case.

“It is a Congress’ scam and because of the Congress’ sin, Manmohan ji, the economist (former) prime minister has to face this,” Javadekar told reporters.

“Congress is responsible for bringing former PM to this threshold,” he added. Calling it “yet another blot on the Congress”, Javadekar said all political parties siding with Congress will now be forced to reconsider their stand. (IANS)