Bofors case: Twists and turns
A Delhi court has allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to close its criminal case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochi who was believed to be one of the major players in the Bofors scam.
-
A Delhi court has allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to close its criminal case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi who was believed to be one of the major players in the Bofors scam.
The CBI said that after 25 years and 250 crores, it had not been able to get Mr Quattrocchi extradited to India.
Following is the chronology of events in the Bofors Howitzer pay-off scandal: -
On March 24, 1986, a $15 billion contract between the Indian government and Swedish arms company AB Bofors was signed for supply of over four hundred 155 mm Howitzer field guns. More than a year later, Swedish Radio claimed Bofors paid kickbacks to top Indian politicians and key defence officials thereby kicking a political storm in India.
-
In a bid to calm tempers, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assured the Lok Sabha that no middleman was involved and no kickbacks were paid. However, in August 1987, a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was set up under B Shankaranand to probe allegations of kickbacks.
-
CBI filed the first chargesheet on October 22, 1999, naming Win Chadha, Quattrocchi, former defence secretary S K Bhatnagar, former Bofors chief Martin Ardbo and the Bofors company. Rajiv Gandhi's name figured as "an accused not sent for trial" - as he was assassinated in 1991. (Inset: Win Chadha)
-
Quattrocchi was detained in Argentina on February 6, 2007, on an Interpol lookout notice. A week later, CBI wrote to Ministry of External Affairs and told Interpol that documentation is being done for the extradition proceedings in Argentina. Hearing of extradition plea began in Argentina on March 23 and on June 8, a court in El Dorado rejected extradition request.
-
A Red Corner notice against Quattrocchi was withdrawn on November 25, 2008. CBI sought two weeks' time from trial court on September 8, 2009, to explore options against the Italian. On September 29, government told the Supreme Court about decision to withdraw case against Quattrocchi.
