No fresh instructions on 'Q' after tribunal order: CBI tells court

The CBI today pleaded for withdrawal of proceedings against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Bofors pay off case, saying it has got no fresh instructions from the Govt in the wake of the ITAT order.

The CBI on Tuesday pleaded for withdrawal of proceedings against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the over two-decade-old Bofors pay off case, saying it has got no fresh instructions from the government in the wake of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) order.

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As soon as proceeding began before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav, Supreme Court advocate Ajay Agarwal, who has challenged the CBI move, contended that the matter be re-looked into in view of the ITAT's recent order.

Yadav then asked Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, appearing for CBI, whether it has received any fresh instructions on the issue.

Malhotra replied that no fresh instructions have been given even as he sought withdrawal of case against 70-year-old Quattrocchi.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, who had earlier heard the arguments of all the parties including the CBI, heard the agency's contentions after the recent ITAT order.

The ITAT order, which had yesterday said that kickbacks of Rs 41 crore were paid to late Win Chaddha and Quattrocchi in the Howitzer gun deal, was placed before the court.

Agarwal had on Monday submitted that Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily had made a statement saying that the government will re-look into the issue in light of ITAT order.

The court after hearing Agarwal's contentions queried from the Additional Solicitor General the stand of the government.

"I would like to know your comments on Law Minister's statement," CMM Yadav said.

Malhotra, however, said that he is not aware of any such statement and this withdrawal application was filed after taking all aspects of the case in depth.