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Howitzers, Allegations and Deadend!

by Mritunjay | October 2, 2009 at 11:22 pm

93 views | 5 Recommendations | 6 comments

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), (Indian intelligence agency) today filed its intent to withdraw the case, before the Delhi High Court. It is notable that all the accused except Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochi were freed of all charges on May 31, 2005. Quattrochi had failed to appear before any Indian court.

The Central Law Minister M Verrpa Moily on October 1, 2009 had expressed this intent on behalf of the Central Govt. Quattrocchi, said to be close to Late Rajiv Gandhi, who was Prime Minister in 1987 when the scandal broke, and his wife Sonia, was accused of receiving millions of dollars for helping fix the $1.4 billion deal.

On October 1, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said that there was no point in pursuing the matter which had "damaged the lives of so many people. Still you want to hunt the shadow," he said adding "we cannot keep it going just for the false prestige of the Government or just to oblige the Opposition which wants to keep it alive".

The case dates back to 1987 when the in the purchase of Howitzer, allegation of kickbacks to the tune of INR 64,00,00,000 as commission were alleged. Now with CBI backing out of the case the case would finally be closed as they failed to get Quattrochi extradited to India. CBI had named Quattrocchi in a chargesheet in 1999 as the conduit for the Bofors deal bribe.

Ajay K Agarwal, a lawyer who had had filed a petition challenging the 2006 govt. decision to unfeeze Quattrochi's London based bank account opposed the current move. The court has posted December 11, 2009 as the next date for hearing in the case.

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Mritunjay

at 07:39 on October 3rd, 2009

Dear Sara,

The quotations are hardly 3-4% of the text and it's hardly as important to give it a separate quotation. Further the way the tool works I would be forced to use Firefox!

Kindly remove the "improve" icon as I have sourced the text and quote.

Regards,

Mritunjay

Amy Judd

at 07:44 on October 3rd, 2009

Here is our forum post on how to use highlight without having to use Firefox - it explains it better than I ever could.

Mritunjay

at 08:00 on October 3rd, 2009

Thanks amyjudd!

This is much better than using the Firefox.

Now can we have the "improve" icon removed? :)

Amy Judd

at 08:05 on October 3rd, 2009

I can't remove another flag from someone else, but I will message Sara for you.

Mritunjay

at 08:12 on October 3rd, 2009

Thanks a ton ma'am! :)

Cheers!

Jennifer O'Joy (not verified)

at 09:40 on October 3rd, 2009

Corruption is the bane of any system. If there was truth behind allegations charges should not be dropped just because high profile people were involved though it's true that the proceedings seems to have hit a dead-end with govt. not able to extradite the prime accused Quattrochi.