SC rejects plea against withdrawal of Bofors case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Central Government's decision for the withdrawal of Bofors pay-off case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi.

A plea was filed in the apex court on March 22, asking it to direct the Centre not to drop cases against Quattrocchi and to extradite him to India.

The plea came before the court as both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Government have made their stands clear on the issue.

Advocate Ajay Agrawal approached the apex court requesting it to form a Special Investigative Team to probe into the alleged role played by some government officials leading to withdrawal of Red Corner notice against Quattrocchi and defreezing of his accounts.

Quattrocchi, the sole surviving accused in the case after the Delhi High Court quashed the charges in May 2005 against other accused, has never appeared before any court in the country.