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Volcker row: Chronology
Following is the chronology of events in the Volcker controvsery which led to Natwar Singh's removal from the Council of Ministers.
Following is the chronology of events in the Volcker controversy which led to Natwar Singh's removal from the Council of Ministers.
Oct 27: Paul Volcker committee releases investigation report on alleged kick back in UN's oil-for-food programme in Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime
Oct 29: Natwar Singh and Congress' name figure as a "non-contractual beneficiary" in the list. Natwar and Congress deny charges.
Oct 30: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gives clean chit to Natwar Singh. UPA constituent CPI-M demands proper probe into allegations.
Nov 2: Allegations surface against Natwar's son and Congress MLA Jagat Singh and his friend Andaleep Sehgal in connection with the alleged payoffs controversy. Jagat Singh refuses allegations.
Nov 3: Masefield AG Co deny any connection with Natwar and Jagat Singh.
Nov 4: Pressure mounts on government vis-a-vis Natwar. Government begins hectic consultations to find a way out.
Nov 4: Volcker breaks silence; says everyone named in report notified.
Nov 5: Government asks India's Permanent Representative to the UN Nirupam Sen to meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Paul Volcker to find out truth.
Nov 6: PM holds talks with Sonia Gandhi. Natwar meets Manmohan Singh.
Nov 6: Government appoints a special envoy to collect materials on the allegations made in the Volcker Committee report.
Nov 7: Government orders judicial probe.
Nov 7: NDA leaders meet President APJ Abdul Kalam; seek Natwar's removal.
Nov 7: Natwar meets Prime Minister. Natwar Singh made Minister without portfolio.
Nov 7: Former Chief Justice RS Pathak to head probe panel allegations against Natwar in Volcker Report.
Nov 10: Andaleeb Sehgal quizzed by ED.
Nov 11: Union cabinet approves setting up of Inquiry Authority into Volcker Committee allegations.
Nov 18: Former Indian diplomat Virender Dayal to probe Volcker report.
Dec 2: India's former envoy to Croatia Aniel Mathrani says Natwar, son in Iraq pay-offs. His remarks rock Parliament.
Dec 2: Natwar threatens legal action against Matherani.
Dec 3: Natwar meets PM; says he will not resign.
Dec 6: Natwar resigns from cabinet.
Dec 15: ED questions Jagat Singh.
Feb 17: Natwar Singh questioned by the ED.
Feb 18: Natwar Singh questioned by the ED.
Mar 20: Justice Pathak Committee serves notices on Natwar.
Apr 27: Natwar blasts Congress on Volcker.
May 23: No business links with Jagat: Andaleeb
June 8: UPA wants to fix me, Jagat: Natwar
Aug 3: Pathak Inquiry Authority indicts Natwar and Jagat for helping persons close to them bag Three Iraqi oil contracts.
Aug 7: The 87-page Pathak report tabled in Parliament.
Aug 8: Natwar Singh suspended from Congress; Asked to reply within two weeks to a show cause notice issued by the party.
Aug 9: Natwar attacks Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Terms him a "weak" Prime Minister.
Aug 10: Natwar holds press conference. Terms PM weak again but is soft on Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Aug 21: Natwar removed from Editorial board of Congress Magazine "Sandesh"
Aug 22: Natwar replies to Congress notice.
Sep 2: Enforcement Directorate issues notices to Natwar, Jagat and 4 others.
