Corruption has been the bane of India. It came to haunt us again in the garb of Volcker report.

Just when the Congress party was done with the Bofors controversy, it was hit by another corruption charge.

In the last week of October, there were reports that the former chairman of American Reserve Paul Volcker, investigating the controversial Oil-for-Food programme, had named 125 Indian companies among 2,000 international firms who had paid kickbacks to Saddam Hussein regime for illegal oil deals.

Somewhere in the report, Volcker had mentioned that New Delhi-based Hamadaan Exports was one of the beneficiaries. Investigations showed that the company was owned by Andaleeb Sehgal, nephew of former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh.

The report mentioned that Natwar Singh and Congress party were non-contractual beneficiaries in 2001. Natwar was named in connection with 4 mn barrels of oil allotted to Masefield AG, which actually lifted 1.936 mn barrels.

The UPA Government was facing one of its worst crises since coming to power in 2004 and indeed Bofors scandal.

A defiant Natwar refused to be cowed down despite being the line of fire. His claims fell through even as Bhim Singh of the Panthers' party mentioned having seen his name in the list of applicants sent to him by Hussein regime.

Manmohan Singh Govt ordered an enquiry into the charges and instituted retired Supreme Court judge VB Pathak to investigate the allegations.

Just when the dust seem to be settling down, a Congress insider and the then India's ambassador to Croatia in a telephonic interview with a news weekly stated that Natwar Singh had got coupons for the Iraqi oil.

This claim from an insider had the party on the boil, resulting in the resignation of Natwar Singh.