Government To Decide As CBI Wants To Re-open Bofors Case

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 The Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI informed a parliamentary panel today that the politically-sensitive Rs. 64 crore Bofors pay-off case is likely to be reopened. The CBI has replied to a parliamentary committee, most members of which had recommended that the agency reinvestigate the Bofors case and bring it before the Supreme Court. 

 The CBI has indicated that it can support the Special Leave Petition pending in the Supreme Court. The Rs. 1,437 crore deal between India and the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for Indian Army was entered on March 24, 1986. 

The Swedish Radio on April 16, 1987 had claimed that the company had paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence personnel. 

 The CBI on January 22, 1990 had registered the FIR for the alleged offence of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery under the IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then President of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and Hinduja brothers.

 It had alleged that certain public servants and private persons in India and abroad had entered into a criminal conspiracy between 1982 and 1987 in pursuance of which the offences of bribery, corruption, cheating and forgery were committed to the extent of Rs. 64 crore in the contracts for the supply of Bofors guns. 

The other accused persons who have died are Mr Bhatnagar, Mr Chadda and Mr Ardbo. Justice RS Sodhi of the Delhi High Court had on May 31, 2005 quashed all charges against the Hinduja brothers -- Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand -- and the Bofors company and castigated the CBI for its handling of the case saying it had cost the exchequer about Rs. 250 crore. 

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