New Delhi, December 18
The inquiry committee headed by Congress chief whip Pawan Kumar Bansal to probe into the cash-for-query scam is likely to submit its report to Parliament by December 21, two days before the winter session concludes and the deadline given by the House.

“Three MPs and three journalists submitted their evidence yesterday, and the remaining seven MPs met the committee today. We will meet tomorrow to take stock of the evidence, and hope to submit the report within time limit that is by 4 pm on December 21,” Mr Bansal said.

Declining to give any details about the evidence, he said, “The matter is very serious and the committee will make every effort to reach a final decision without any prejudice and to fulfil the expectations of Parliament and the nation.”

He said the committee had no plans at the moment to seek any extension and hoped to complete the job in time.

The committee was yet to discuss all evidence, he said.

When asked whether any member felt sorry over his behaviour or denied the allegations of taking money, he said, “I cannot say anything about it at this stage. All committee members have decided not to speak on the issue before the completion of the inquiry report.”

Those who appeared before the committee today were Y.G. Mahajan, Suresh Chandel, Pradeep Gandhi and Chandra Pratap Singh (all from the BJP), Raja Ram Pal and Lal Chandra Kol (both from the BSP) and Ramsewak Singh (Congress).

Former Union Minister M.K. Anna Patil of the BJP, Narendra Kushwaha of the BSP and Manoj Kumar of the RJD had appeared before the committee on Saturday.

The committee yesterday heard Anirrudha Bahl and his two colleagues — Suhasini Raj and Kumar Badal of cobrapost.com that carried out the sting operation.