SC approached for immediate extradition of Quattrocchi

New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) An application was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking directions to the CBI to take immediate steps for the extradition of Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in Bofors Gun scandal, from Argentina without missing the deadline of limitations.

Applicant Ajay Agrawal, in his application, has alleged that CBI deliberately concealed the fact of arrest of Quattrocchi by the authorities in Argentina on February 6, and this fact was not disclosed to this court on February 12 either, when the proceedings took place in the case.

Quattrocchi is the main suspect in Bofors pay-offs case involving illegal kickbacks of Rs 64 crore in a deal worth over Rs 1400 crore.

The CBI has been looking for Quattrocchi, who has been evading arrest, for over a decade.

The Argentina authorities officially informed Indian authorities on Thursday about his detention while the application for extradition has to be filed within 30 days from the day of detention and the deadline expires on March 7.

Earlier also, the CBI has come under fire for permitting the defreezing of the two London-based bank accounts of Quattrocchi in January 2006 and the ill-gotten money was taken away by the Italian businessman.

The applicant has also sought directions to CBI to submit status report in regard to steps taken for the extradition of the businessman from Argentina ever since February 8, when the CBI had the information about the detention of Quattrocchi by the Argentina authorities.

The applicant has been pursuing the case since the beginning and has earlier also filed an application seeking direction to CBI to see the kickback money lying in London banks was not withdrawn by Quattrocchi.

He was detained by Argentina authorities in view of a Red Corner Notice issued by the Interpol.

Earlier, Quattrocchi had disappeared from Malaysia. Three Hinduja brothers are also facing trial in the case in which the state has already spent about Rs 250 crore in investigations.

The scandal was brought to light in 1989 by then Defence Minister V P Singh.

The application is likely to be heard next week.

UNI