CBI seeks govt nod to file SLP on Bofors
New Delhi: The CBI has written to the government for reconsideration of its 2005 decision and allow the agency to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court in the Bofors case, challenging the quashing of an FIR in the alleged scam, officials said.
With the high-stakes Gujarat elections approaching, the ghost of the Bofors case has returned to haunt the Congress.
The CBI on Friday sought the government’s permission for filing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the 2005 Delhi high court order acquitting the Hinduja brothers in the Bofors case. A couple of days ago, Union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani had raised the Bofors issue targeting the Congress high-command.
The CBI on Friday wrote to the government for reconsideration of its 2005 decision and allow the agency to file a SLP in the apex court in the Bofors case challenging quashing of an FIR in the alleged scam.
In a letter to the department of personnel and training, the CBI conveyed that it wanted to file the SLP challenging the Delhi high court order of May 31, 2005 quashing all charges against Europe-based Hinduja brothers in the Bofors case.
Sources said the CBI was in favour of filing the SLP in 2005, but the then UPA government did not give its nod.
It was felt that the CBI might have to explain for
Sources said that the CBI was in favour of filing the SLP in 2005, but the then UPA government did not give its nod
remaining silent over the issue for over two decades.
Agency reports stated that the then Delhi high court judge R.S. Sodhi 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 `250 crore. Before the 2005 verdict, another judge of the Delhi high court, Justice J.D. Kapoor (since retired) on February 4, 2004, had exonerated late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in the case and directed framing of charge of forgery under Section 465 of the IPC against the Bofors company.
Earlier, Ms Irani speaking to the media had questioned the Congress on it’s silence on the pay-off scam. “For too long the Congress conveniently kept quite. It’s time they answer what is the involvement of its leaders then and now in the Bofors case”, she had gone on record saying.