New Delhi: The CBI withdrew Thursday from a Delhi court its application which had sought permission to further probe the politically sensitive Rs 64-crore Bofors payoff case. The agency told Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Navin Kumar Kashyap that it wants to withdraw the application filed February 1, 2018.
The agency submitted before the court that decision on further course of action would be taken by it later and as of now wanted to withdraw the application.
Taking note of CBI’s stand, the judge said: “For the reason best known to the CBI, in case they want to withdraw the application, they have the right as they are the applicants.”
The court December 4, 2018 had questioned as to why the CBI required its permission to further probe the matter. The CBI had also filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, February 2, 2018 against the May 31, 2005 verdict of the Delhi High Court discharging all the accused in the case.
The apex court had November 2, 2018 dismissed CBI’s appeal in which it had sought condonation of the 13-year delay in filing the appeal against the high court judgment.
However, one of the appeals is still alive in the apex court in which CBI is one of the respondents and the top court on November 2, 2018 said that the agency can assist in the matter as respondent.
The agency had swung into action for a permission for further probe in the case after the Attorney General had orally given it a go ahead to file the appeal in the case in which it cited the October 2017 interview of private detective Michael Hershman, alleging that the then Rajiv Gandhi government had sabotaged his probe.
The Rs 1,437-crore deal between India and Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm howitzer guns for the Indian Army was entered into, March 24, 1986.
Swedish Radio on April 16, 1987 claimed that the company had paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence personnel.
The CBI, January 22, 1990 registered the FIR for alleged offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the India Penal Code and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then president of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and the Hinduja brothers.
PTI