CBI tells panel it asked govt in 2005 to approach Supreme Court on Bofors case | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

CBI tells panel it asked govt in 2005 to approach Supreme Court on Bofors case

Press Trust of India, New Delhi | ByPress Trust of India
Sep 26, 2017 11:28 PM IST

The Rs 1,437-crore deal between India and the Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for the Indian Army was sealed on March 24, 1986.

The CBI has told a parliamentary panel that it was denied permission from the then Central government to approach the Supreme Court against a 2005 Delhi high court order in the Bofors guns case, sources here said.

Supreme Court in New Delhi.(HT File Photo)
Supreme Court in New Delhi.(HT File Photo)

The six-member Public Accounts Committee’s sub-committee on defence is looking into non-compliance of certain aspects of a 1986 CAG report on the Bofors Howitzer gun deal.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The panel had last month asked the premier investigating agency why it did not approach the apex court after the Delhi court dismissed proceedings in the case in 2005.

On analysing the Delhi high court’s order of 2005, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was of the view that a special leave petition (SLP) should be filed in the apex court, it told the panel, the sources added.

“CBI vide its letter dated June 22, 2017, conveyed its views that CBI, as investigative agency was of the view that SLP should be preferred against the order of Delhi high court dated May 31, 2005..,” the agency told the panel recently.

It had, however, been denied permission by the government’s Department of Personnel and Training, it said.

“A proposal was forwarded to the Director (Vig), DoPT, on September 8, 2005. The DoPT vide its order dated November 25, 2005, denied permission for filing an SLP in the matter. Accordingly, no SLP was preferred,” it said.

Meanwhile advocate Ajay Agarwal has moved the Supreme Court seeking a reopening of the case.

The CBI had on January 22, 1990, registered an FIR for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the Indian Penal Code and sections of Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then President of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and the Europe-based industrialists, the Hinduja brothers.

The CBI had alleged that certain public servants and private individuals in India and abroad had entered into a criminal conspiracy for the supply of Howitzer artillery guns and a sum of Rs 64 crore was paid in kickbacks for the deal.

The Delhi high court had in February 2005 quashed the charges against the three Hinduja brothers under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Several members of the parliamentary panel looking into the CAG report on the Bofors deal had asked the CBI to move the Supreme Court against the Delhi high court’s 2005 order.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on Election 2024, India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On