Court seeks report on Quattrocchi by March 31

A designated court has asked CBI to file a status report by March 31 on the steps taken to extradite Quattrocchi.

A designated court has asked the CBI to file a status report by March 31 on the steps taken to extradite Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi accused in the Rs 133 crore Bofors payoff case.

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The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate had issued the order on December 20 after the agency told the court that it "had not yet got any reply from the Interpol regarding the whereabouts of Quattrocchi" who has been declared a proclaimed offender in the case.

The court then asked the CBI to file a status report in this regard by March 31.

The agency informed the court that it was "taking all steps to apprehend and extradite" the accused against whom an Interpol Red Corner notice was pending since 1997.

Quattrocchi, against whom a chargesheet has already been filed as been accused of various offences under the IPC including 420 (cheating), 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.

CBI has told the British authorities that it did not have any evidence to link the frozen three million euros and $1 million of Quattrocchi in two bank accounts in London with the Bofors payoff case.