PM indirectly gained from scam: Hazare

Mumbai - Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare has reiterated that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh indirectly gained through the scam of coal block allocations worth billions of rupees.

"When I went through the papers regarding coal scam, there is connection with Coal Minister. After this as per the report of the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) on coal scam this also is indirectly related with Prime Minister, Hazare told media here.

Hazare observed that he had always thought Dr. Singh was an honest man, but one who has to function under a 'remote control'.

. There was a room for suspicion as I always thought the Prime Minister is an honest and non-corrupt man; then how did all this happen? asked Hazare.

Hazare further said that as and whenever serious allegations are raised, the powers-that-be should respond not by merely ordering an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but by an independent body of retired judges of High Court and Supreme Court.

"If representatives of the government feel that there are allegations then why do they not probe into the matter. They should set up an inquiry. Whatever truth or false will come before the people? CBI should not be included for inquiry. Instead retired judges of High Courts and Supreme Court should be named to constitute this inquiry team," added Hazare.

It may be recalled that on May 26, close associates of Hazare under the banner of India Against Corruption had disclosed about having sent series of charges of corruption against 14 ministers including the Prime Minister.