India: scandal in parliament

The leak outraged the former minister, Natwar Singh, and several political parties, including allies of the ruling Congress party, which claimed the disclosure was a violation of Parliament's privilege.

Photo: India: scandal in parliament

The inquiry found that a relative of Natwar Singh's and a friend of his son were illegal beneficiaries of the U.N. oil-for-food program during Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq, Indian media reported last week.

Natwar Singh was forced out of the foreign minister post in December after he was named in an oil-for-food report by former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve,Paul Volcker, who investigated allegations of graft in the program, the AP reports.

Singh told reporters Sunday that he planned to bring what is called a "privilege motion" against the prime minister in Parliament, claiming the legislative body should have been allowed to view the evidence before it was released to the public.

At least three major political parties said they would support the move, which was expected Monday.