BJP wants Quattrocchi to be extradited

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) Terming the detention of Bofors accused Ottavio Quattrocchi in Argentina as ''curious'', the BJP today demanded that the Indian authorities extradite the Italian national.

In his initial reaction after news of Quattrocchi's detention, BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad said,'' Quattrocchi has to be brought to India because he has many things to disclose.

Unfortunately, he was allowed to flee when the Congress was in power 15 years ago.'' '' It was again this UPA government which had defreezed his London bank accounts. We apprehend the government may attempt to repeat its bid to help Quattrocchi. The BJP would raise the issue in and outside Parliament,'' Mr Prasad said.

''We want this fugitive to be brought to justice through the long arm of law,'' he added.

Asked about the legal implications of his extradition, Mr Prasad said four High Court orders quashing the proceedings against Quattrocchi had been set aside by the Supreme Court with a virtual reprimand.

''He certainly has a long way to surmount the judicial impediments,'' he added.

The Interpol, Buenos Aires had informed the CBI that Quattrocchi was detained on February 6 in the Argentinian province of Misiones on way to Buenos Aires and taken into preventive custody.

UNI