No record of statements by leaders, MPs: PMO on Anna row

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) The Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
has said that allegations against activist Anna Hazare and his
associates "are not a matter of record" with it.
"Allegations levelled by individuals which are part of
investigative procedures, would be the concern of the
specific investigating agencies or public authorities which
are dealing with the subject," the Prime Minister's Office
said replying to an RTI (Right to Information) query.
The PMO was asked to give details of allegations of
corruption levelled against Hazare and his three associates --
former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal
and eminent lawyer Prashant Bhushan -- by Congress General
Secretary Digvijay Singh and MP Manish Tewari.
"Statements made by leaders/MPs are not a matter of
record of this office. Any statement made by an individual may
have originated on the basis of knowledge held by that person
concerned and can, therefore, be accessed from that person or
any public authority concerned.
"This office is not the public authority in respect of
the information sought based on statement originated from
these leaders/MPs and no public authority can be identified
which may hold the record," it said in reply to an RTI filed
by advocate Vivek Garg.
Earlier this month, Tewari had alleged that Hazare was
corrupt from "head to toe", a statement which he withdrew
after almost a fortnight and publicly apologised for it.
Similarly, Singh has denied making any statement against the
anti-graft campaigner.
Hazare was on fast for 12 days since August 16 demanding
stricter anti-corruption law.
Exercising his Right to Information, Garg had also sought
details of Justice Sawant Commission's report claiming
corruption charges against Hazare or any of his associate NGOs
which were denied by the government.
"The information sought pertains to State Government of
Maharashtra," the reply added.