'CPS cannot reinstate Q's frozen account'

The Crown Prosecution Service cannot reinstate the order to freeze the accounts of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of Britain cannot reinstate the order to freeze the accounts of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi whose name has figured in Bofors case in India. "The order that froze the accounts has been discharged and cannot be reinstated, " said Annabelle McMillan, spokeswoman of the CPS, adding the CBI "was notified of the discharge order."

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Asked, after being advised by the Indian authorities to freeze the accounts again what would be the procedure, Ms McMillan said, "An account can be refrozen but the CPS will make another application. Generally speaking, these requests can be actioned by the courts in a matter of days and in extreme circumstances even quicker.

"However, the High Court is likely to query any application for a further restraining order given the application to discharge the original order. The Court is likely to ask for evidence as to how/why there has been a change in circumstances."

The discharge order, however, did not include any details about the accounts or amount of money involved. "The order simply referred to discharging the previous order (dated July 2003)." The CPS does not have the figures "readily available, as they were not relevant to the application we lodged at the High Court. Our application was simply to discharge the previous restraint order and not about the specific assets."

The process of discharging the restraining order includes the CPS notifying the bank and solicitors, acting for the party whose assets have been frozen.

Ms McMillan, however, refused to disclose the current situation of the matter, if the CPS has been contacted by Indian authorities about refreezing Quattrochhi's accounts. She said, "The CPS continues to liaise with and provide assistance to Indian authorities. As we are acting on behalf of the Indian authorities we cannot discuss the confidential details of our discussions with them."

However, she clarified that the Supreme Court of India's order is not binding on the banks here. "The accounts remain de-frozen. We have not taken any further action." She informed:"We have no way of stopping the money (going) out of the banks."

Asked if Quattrochhi may have already withdrawn the money, she said, "We have no way of knowing it. Only the banks can reveal that."

Clarifying reports that Bhardwaj had an official meeting with any CPS officials in October in regard to this matter, she said, "He did not."