Advocate Ajay Agrawal alleged on Tuesday that Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi has been treated by the government as the son-in-law of the country. Mr. Quattrocchi was the only accused in the case and the CBI and the government were trying to close the case, he said.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam, however, recalled the efforts taken by the government and the CBI for extraditing Mr. Quattrocchi. All efforts failed to yield results. Nothing survived in the appeal filed by Mr. Agrawal against the May 2005 verdict of the High Court, which pertained only to the Hindujas and not against Mr. Quattrocchi, he said.
The Chief Justice told counsel, “It appears that they want to withdraw the case. If the matter is not alive in trial court what can we do. There is no point in keeping the matter pending in this court.”
However, the petitioner, Mr. Agrawal, said the matter had to be heard in detail. He also challenged the CBI’s decision to revoke the Red Corner Notice and to take off the name of Mr. Quattrocchi from the list of most wanted persons. He alleged that the CBI, at different stages, showered favours on Mr. Quattrocchi, who was declared a proclaimed offender by a special court.
The Bench posted the matter for further hearing to December 11.
