CBI seeks two weeks to explore options against Quattrocchi

New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) India's premier investigating
agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) 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 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Notice against Quattrocchi was withdrawn in November last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The Interpol had withdrawn the Red Corner Notice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 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. PTI ATP