Kiran Bedi should come clean, says Digvijay Singh

Congress leader Digvijay Singh today asked Kiran Bedi, a close associate of Anna Hazare, to come clean on allegations that she inflated travel expenses when invited by NGOs and other institutions for seminars or meetings.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh Thursday asked Kiran Bedi, a close associate of Anna Hazare, to come clean on allegations that she inflated travel expenses when invited by NGOs and other institutions for seminars or meetings.

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"This is a very serious allegation and Kiran Bedi should come clean," Digvijay Singh told journalists following a report in the Indian Express that she sometimes charged business class tickets but travelled economy class.

The daily claimed to be in possession of bills, invoices and copies of cheques which show that Bedi, who is entitled to a rebate on Air India tickets as a gallantry award winner, pays discounted fares but charges her host institutions the full fare.

Said Law Minister Salman Khurshid: "I have read the news but I think she (Kiran Bedi) herself will have something to say. I don't want to condemn or hurt anybody.

"I cannot take a judgement on anybody as quickly as I feel as the judgement is pronounced on many of us by the movement (India Against Corruption) in which Kiran Bedi as a significant role," Khurshid added.

"The organisations voluntarily pay me for business class tickets but I duly inform them and save money for travels which are for good causes but cannot provide remuneration... there is no personal gain."

Stating that it was "saving for a cause", Bedi added: "I make a choice to save money so that it can be used for a good cause by not travelling in business class."