CBI files special leave petition in Bofors case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court against the 2005 Delhi High Court's order which quashed charges against the accused in the Bofors pay-off scam.

The probe agency has filed the plea as some new facts have surfaced in the case that needed to be investigated.

Earlier apex court lawyer Ajay Aggarwal, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, had filed a plea in the top court seeking an early hearing in Rs. 64-crore Bofors case. He had also challenged the High Court's order.

The CBI wanted to approach the top court in 2005 after the High Court's order, but it was reportedly denied permission by the then UPA government.

The scam, relating to alleged payment of kickbacks in the procurement of howitzer artillery guns, dates back to 1980s and 1990s when the Congress was in power with Rajiv Gandhi as the prime minister.

The then central government had signed a 1.4-billion dollar defence deal with Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors for the sale of 410 field howitzer guns and a supply contract almost twice that amount.

In April 1987, the Swedish Radio had claimed that the company paid bribes to senior Indian politicians and Army personnel to secure the deal. Gandhi was also implicated in the case.

In 1990, the CBI booked then president of Bofors Martin Ardbo, alleged middleman Win Chadda and the Hinduja brothers under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the Indian Penal Code, as well as for corruption.

The first charge sheet was filed in the case in 1999.