Terming as "unfortunate" the showcause notices served on him and his son by the Enforcement Directorate in the Iraqi oil-for-food scam, former external affairs minister Natwar Singh on Sunday said his lawyers would give befitting reply to the department.

"It is very unfortunate that a department of central government is harassing and trying to defame me," Natwar Singh, on a tour to Rajasthan, told PTI over phone.