ISLAMABAD Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary on Monday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to complete probe in Haj corruption scam by January 6, 2011 with the warning that court was keeping an eye on the case and would not allow any kind of mismanagement. A seven-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Justice Raja Fayyaz, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday was hearing suo motu of irregularities in Haj arrangements. The courtroom was full of Haj pilgrims during the hearing. Director General FIA Waseem Ahmed informed the court they have moved the court in order to freeze the bank accounts of Secretary and Federal Minister for Religious Affairs. He said a team headed by Hussain Asghar, Director Interpol Pakistan would be leaving today (Monday) for Makkah to probe the irregularities in Haj arrangements. During the proceeding, the Chief Justice observed that it would not be possible by DG FIA to conduct investigation in a transparent manner therefore it should be brought to the notice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The CJP asked Sardar Latif Khosa to bring into the notice of the Prime Minister that transparency could not prevail in the presence of an influential person conducting the probe. The Chief Justice said that Bilal Yaseen, member of the Standing Committee on Religious Affairs told the court that the probing team comprises the influential people of the government. Why dont you consult the government in this regard, the CJP asked Latif Khosa, adding; By the grace of Al-Mighty Allah there is parliamentary form of government in the country and it is the responsibility of the prime minister to take notice of the matter. This way indirectly we have conveyed our concern to the prime minister, the CJP added. Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati on Monday submitted his written reply and the evidence against Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi regarding corruption in Haj arrangements. He contended that Secretary Religious Affairs had made a statement on December 9 at his residence that the Religious Minister was involved in Haj scandal. Talking to media at the Supreme Court premises, the minister said the court should penalise the accused. God willing they would get befitting penalty; Allahs ire would befall on these people (accused), the minister maintained. Swati said he abided by the court orders and submitted his comprehensive reply in the court in black and white. Senator Latif Khosa said that being cabinet minister Swati would be a party to the alleged corruption and therefore he should resign before levelling allegations against Kazmi. Justice Javed Iqbal observed that no minister can commit such a huge corruption without any backing. Justice Ramday said the ministry should have returned 1,000 Saudi Riyals besides other compensations. He asked Secretary Religious Ministry that he has to submit a certificate in the court that money to all the Hajjis, who were provided bad accommodation during the Haj, has been paid. He said that total 80,000 Hajis were affected by the bad arrangements. The Chief Justice wondered that the accused (Hamid Kazmi) is not offering his resignation while the one who is assisting the court is being asked to tender resignation. Secretary Religious Affairs Agha Sarwar Qazalbash also appeared before the court. The Chief Justice told him that ultimately you would be held responsible. He said that in the committee of seven members four included Joint Secretary Raja Aftab, Director General Rao Shakeel, Director Haj Arslan Subagtageen and Seemiullah, Account Officer. The court directed Secretary Religious Affairs Ministry to submit before the court, certificate pertaining to returning of 1,000 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrims who were provided inadequate facilities during the performance of Haj. During the course of hearing Secretary Religious Affairs Sarwar Qazalbash told the court that Acting DG Haj has taken back 1,000 Saudi Riyals taken from pilgrims and would be paid to the affected pilgrims. The court however, directed the Secretary to submit before the court a certificate in this regard on the next date of hearing. Muhammad Ali, a Haji, narrated a miserable story pertaining to inadequate facilities provided by the government to pilgrims in Mina. He informed the court that there was absolutely mismanagement on the part of the government. At this the Chief Justice asked the DG FIA as to why he does not take into account the evidences being given by the affected Hajis, narrating miserable stories of inadequate accommodation facilities. There is an overwhelming evidences of mismanagement and still he was bent upon probing the matter, the CJP asked DG FIA. During the course of the hearing the Chief Justice while addressing former DG Haj Rao Shakeel observed that prima facie it seems that he was the main person responsible in the scandal. Rao Shakeel however replied that he had been waiting for the last so many years so that his viewpoint could be heard. Former Director General Haj, Rao Shakeel however, told the court that he had written a letter to the government for seeking more funds for provision of better accommodation to the pilgrims, however, he said his request was declined. The court adjourned the hearing till January 6, 2011, directing the DG FIA to complete the probe in the matter. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken suo motu notice after receiving letter from Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz-Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, alleging corruption in Haj arrangements. The Chief Justice had also received complaints of three MNAs, two Senators, a letter written by Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz-Al-Saud and applications received by Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday from different Hajis during performance of Haj. Meanwhile Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Khan Swati on Monday recorded his statement before the FIA team probing into the irregularities and mismanagement in Haj affairs. The sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed that Swati, besides recording his statement, had provided enough evidence to the investigators against Minister for Religious Affairs, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, proving latters involvement in Haj corruption. However, an FIA officer connected with the investigations said that FIA would examine the statement of Swati and probe the charges levelled against Kazmi from other sources while utilising all methods of investigations. Swati was not available for comments when this scribe contacted him on his cell number and his personal staff officer responded that the Minister had left for Geneva to attend UN ministerial conference. The FIA sources disclosed that the investigation team questioned Swati for more than an hour in the light of his statement as well as evidence against the Religious Minister that he handed over to FIA.