New Delhi: Following is the chronology of
events in the Bofors payoff scam in which a Delhi Court on Friday
allowed CBI's plea to withdraw its case against fugitive
Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochhi.
Mar 24, 1986: Government of India and Bofors enter
into contract for supply of 410 units of 155mm Howitzer guns
valuing Rs 1437.72 crores.
Apr 16, 1987: Swedish Radio broadcast alleged that the
contract was awarded to Bofors due to payment of bribes to
Indian officials.
Jan 22, 1990: FIR lodged in the case.
Feb 7, 1990: First Letter Rogatory sent to Swiss
Government.
Jan 29, 1993: Swiss authorities decide to take action
on the Letter Rogatory received from India.
July 12, 1993: The Swiss Supreme Court dismisses
appeals of Quattrocchi and other accused in the case against
the decision to take action on the Letter Rogatory.
July 29/30, 1993: Quattrocchi leaves India and has not
returned since then.
Feb 6, 1997: NBWs issued against Quattrocchi for the
purpose of issuance of a Red Corner notice .
Feb 17, 1997: Red Corner notice issued against
Quattrocchi.
Mar 1998: Quattrocchi files a writ petition in Supreme
Court seeking cancellation of the NBWs.
Aug 5, 1998: Quattrocchi's petition is dismissed as
his lawyer said that he is not willing to submit to the
jurisdiction of Indian courts. Quattrocchi was in Malaysia at
that time.
Dec 8, 1998: Second Letter Rogatory sent to Swiss
Government for investigation into the transfer of amounts from
Guernsey (Channel Islands) and Austria to Switzerland
Oct 22, 1999: Chargesheet filed against Quattrocchi
Nov 4, 1999: Cognisance taken by Special Judge.
Nov 5, 1999: NBW issued against Quattrocchi.
Oct 9, 2000: CBI files another chargesheet in the case
Dec 2, 2002: India's request for extradition of
Quattrocchi turned down by Malaysian Sessions court.
Dec 13, 2002: Malaysian High Court turns down India's
plea for extradition of Quattrocchi.
July 21, 2003: Letter Rogatory sent by India to UK
seeking freezing of Quattrocchi's bank accounts.
Feb 4, 2004: Court quashes all charges under
Prevention of Corruption Act and bribery against other accused
including Hinduja brothers under the IPC while exonerating
Rajiv Gandhi and S K Bhatnagar who were dead.
Mar 31, 2004: Malaysian Supreme Court dismisses
India’s extradition request of Quattrocchi.
May 31, 2005: Delhi High Court quashes proceedings and
charges against the Hindujas and A B Bofors.
Sept 19, 2005: A Supreme Court lawyer, Ajay Agrawal
moves apex court challenging HC order after CBI failed to file
appeal in the mandatory 90 days. SC admits the appeal which is
pending.
Jan 11, 2006: Agrawal moves petition in Supreme Court
saying Government has sent communication to authorities in
United Kingdom for defreezing Quattrocchi's account. However,
on the same date Quattrocchi's account was allowed to be
defreezed.
Jan 16, 2006: Supreme Court directs Centre and CBI to
ensure that status quo in respect of freezing/money in
accounts is maintained. Moneys were however withdrawn on the
same day.
Feb 6, 2007: Quattrochi was arrested by the Interpol
at Igazu airport in Argentina.
June 6, 2007: Federal court of first instance declined
India's request for extradition
Apr 2009: CBI withdraws Red Corner Notice against
Quattrocchi.
Oct 2009: CBI seeks court's permission to withdraw the
case against Quattrocchi, saying his continued prosecution was
"unjustified" in the light of various factors including the
agency's failed attempts to get him extradited.
Oct 2009: Agrawal files RTI application in CBI seeking
documents relating to defreezing of account in London bank and
also ground for withdrawing the case against Quattrocchi.
Nov 2009: RTI plea before CBI refused.
Dec 14, 2010: Court reserves its order on CBI plea for
February 21, 2011.
Dec 31, 2010: Income Tax Tribunal ask IT Department to
pursue case against Quattrochhi and Win Chaddha's son to get
the tax due from them.
Feb 9, 2011: Chief Information Commission slams CBI for
withholding information.
Feb 10, 2011: Income Tax tribunal order brought to the
notice of the Court which posted the matter for further
hearing on February 21.
Feb 21, 2011: CBI says no change in its stand in the
wake of Income tax tribunal order. Court defers order for
March 4.
Mar 4, 2011: Court allows CBI's plea to withdraw case
against Quattrochhi.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 04, 2011, 18:42