NEW DELHI, July 1: Joginder's Singh's Tilak Lane House today bore every sign of the curt transfer order. Lifeless, except for a tailor busy sewing in the former CBI director's garage, the house had been abandoned by newspersons. Even the incessant phone calls, from CBI headquarters and sundry politicians, had ceased. But the man himself bore no sign of disappointment. Singh's trademark boisterous laugh peppered his standard bureaucratic replies, even today.

Joginder Singh, now special secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in charge of pensions, freedom fighters and foreigners, looked colourful in maroon trousers and green turban. Singh, who landed from Lyons, France, at the IGI Airport at 4 am had a rushed morning: After formally handing over charge to RC Sharma and attending his farewell party organised at short notice -- less than 24 hours -- he returned to his official residence in the afternoon. Singh settled down in the porch to talk about his stint as CBI director, and his fifth book, Inside the CBI, for which he is demanding a whopping million dollars.

After spending 11 months inside the prime investigating agency with practically his foot in his mouth, Singh, now on the outside, refuses to take chances. Steering clear of any controversy, he said he had no reason to react to his transfer order. ``I have nothing to say. It is the Government's prerogative,'' he said, who had, a few months ago, pre-empted the Government's move to remove him by presenting the Bofors papers.

``I will continue with my job wherever they send me..This is not my first transfer, and I have learnt from the Gita to take life as it comes,'' he added. Satisfied with his term at the CBI which saw the ``largest seizures and cash recovery,'' Singh said investigations were conducted thoroughly and in all fairness during his tenure. ``The rest,'' he smiled and added, ``is for others to judge.'' Reacting to Prime Minister IK Gujral's charge that he was kicked upstairs because of his incompetence, Singh said, ``I don't know whether the PM really said this...I have not spoken to him yet. So please, no comments''.

He also refused to comment on the general feeling that his sudden transfer was due to the Prime Minister finally succumbing to pressure from Laloo Yadav, an accused in the fodder scam. ``All I can say is that Biswas has investigated the case thoroughly and honestly. Now it is up to the courts.''Singh said he was leaving the CBI with a clear conscience. ``I have never done anything wrong...never leaked to the Press nor taken orders from politicians''.

On Sharma's declaration that the CBI needs to regain the glory it has lost in the past three years, Singh flashed a benign smile and said: ``I have handed over charge to R.C. who has been a friend for the past 27 years.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.