Manmohan Singh's honesty, integrity 'unquestionable': Sriprakash Jaiswal

Former coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Wednesday avoided commenting on the summons issued to former prime minister Manmohan Singh in connection with the coal blocks allocation scam, saying the latter's honesty and integrity is 'unquestionable'.

Jaiswal said the entire world knows about the honesty and integrity of Manmohan Singh.

"I don't have anything to say about what the opposition is saying because they will use such language. As the investigation proceeds, everything will become clear," Jaiswal said when asked about the opposition party's accusations on the former prime minister.

"All I am saying is that Manmohan Singh will be pained by this, Manmohan Singh's honesty, integrity and character are unquestionable," he added.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Hansraj Ahir earlier today said it is extremely unfortunate for the nation that the former prime minister has been summoned in connection with the coal blocks allocation scam.

"This is unfortunate for the nation that a former prime minister has been summoned. But this is the law of the land and I am happy that it has been applied to everyone," said Ahir, who is the whistleblower in the coal scam.

The BJP MP from Chandrapur, however, expressed his delight with the CBI probe into the scam.

"The nation's property should go to the nation, I am very happy this inquiry is happening," he said.

"Action against everyone should be taken," he added while asserting that the summons have been issued by the highest authority.

Earlier in the day, a special CBI court summoned former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former coal secretary P C Parakh, Aditya Birla Group chairman K M Birla and three others in connection with the coal blocks allocation scam.

The court has summoned them on April 8 for offences of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.