Manmohan Singh calls for probe over bugging of Nitin Gadkari's residence

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed disappointment over the news of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's residence being bugged.

"Hope it's not true that in a democracy ministers' houses are being bugged," said Singh at Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Iftar party.

Reportedly, listening devices were recovered today from Gadkari's residence.

Moreover reacting to controversy, which erupted after Markandey Katju's statements about his writing a letter for favouring a 'corrupt judge', Singh added that it's a futile issue, after what the then law Minister Hansraj Bhardwaj and former Supreme Court judge Soli Sorabji have spoken. Dr Manmohan Singh said, "What do I need to add to it."

Katju had alleged that the previous UPA Government had extended the tenure of a corrupt additional judge of the Madras High Court as its key ally from Tamil Nadu had threatened to withdraw support.

Singh also condemned Saharanpur's incident where three people lost their lives and many were injured as clashes erupted on Saturday morning amongst two groups over a patch of disputed land close to the city's railway station.

Further reacting to the economic performance of the current government, Singh said, "Any government needs time."