Quattrocchi Involved In Hawala Case, Says Cbi

The CBI has alleged that Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, one of the main accused in the Bofors case, had transferred about $19 million to S K Jain, the key accused in the multi-crore hawala case, which was then passed on further.

This amount was alleged to be a share of the kickback received by Quattrocchi in connection with a contract, the CBI has claimed in the Delhi High Court during the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea of hawala operator Ameer Bhai.

CBI sources while confirming that Quattrocchis name also figured in the hawala case, refused to give details about the contract in which the Italian businessman was alleged to have received a share.

The investigating agency had shown several records and documents to Justice Jaspal Singh while arguing against the bail plea of Ameer Bhai.

According to the CBI, the Jain brothers were known to both Quattrocchi and Ameer Bhai.

CBI investigations have revealed that S K Jain was to be paid 18 to 19 million US dollars as share of the kickback received by Quattrocchi in connection with the contract.

This amount was transferred by Quattrocchi in the bank account of Ameer bhai for being delivered to S K Jain, the CBI alleged.

The Jain brothers were alleged to have distributed the amount to different persons, the CBI further claimed.

The CBI charges were recorded in Justice Singhs order dismissing the bail plea of Ameer Bhai, now in Dubai against whom arrest warrants are pending in three cases including the Rs 64 crore hawala case.

Quattrocchi, currently in Malaysia, was named as one of the five owners of Swiss bank accounts in which the Bofors kickback money were allegedly transferred.