New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday sought two weeks'
time before a Delhi court for exploring the options available
to it in the Bofors payoff case after the withdrawal of Red
Corner notice against Italian Businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi.
Additional Solicitor General PP Malhotra submitted a
status report in a court of Metropolitan Magistrate Manish
Yaduvanshi and said the CBI needed two weeks' time to examine
the options for proceeding against Quattrocchi.
The Court, taking his submissions into account during a
brief hearing, posted the matter for October 3.
On April 30, the Additional Solicitor General appearing
for CBI, had informed the court that the Red Corner Notice
against Quattrocchi was withdrawn in November last year.
He had then sought two months' time to decide on the
future course of action in the matter.
The Interpol had withdrawn the Red Corner Notice against
70-year-old Quattrocchi, which was first issued in 1997,
following a communication from CBI.
Quattrocchi was declared a proclaimed offender as he did
not appear to face trial and, as a result, charges could not
be framed against him despite two chargesheets in the case.
The FIR was registered on January 22, 1990, three years
after Swedish Radio alleged that AB Bofors, the makers of the
155mm Howitzers, had paid kickbacks to top Indian politicians
and key defence officials to secure the Rs 1,437 crore gun
deal.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, September 08, 2009, 11:50