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 P P 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 Mr. 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Solicitor General appearing for CBI, had informed the court that the Red Corner Notice against Quattrocchi was withdrawn in November last year.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The Interpol had withdrawn the Red Corner Notice against 70-year-old Mr. 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 A B 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.
