BJP MPs tear government statement on Quattrochi in RS

New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for the day with the Opposition MPs tearing the statement of the Government on Italian fugitive Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in the Bofors pay-off scam.

When the House met for the second time, after being adjourned till 1230 hrs, the Opposition members moved to the Chair and expressed their dissatisfaction even as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri placed his statement detailing the measures taken by the authorites after they received the message regarding the detention of Quattrocchi at Iguazu International Airport on February 7.

During this time, Mr Rudramani Pani of BJP went to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan to lodge his protest and was soon joined by Mr Yashwant Sinha, who was a Foreign Minister in the NDA government.

Mr Pani tore the statement and threw it into the air. His action was soon followed by rest of the BJP MPs and some of the torn papers fell on the Chairman's table. When the situation turned uncontrollable, the Chair adjourned the House for the day.

UNI