Argentine court says CBI presentation of Quattrocchis case was flawed

An Argentine lower court in its detailed order for denying extradition of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in Bofors kickback case, to India has said that the CBIs request was not backed by ample judicial documents.

Buenos Aires, June 15 : An Argentine lower court in its detailed order for denying extradition of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in Bofors kickback case, to India has said that the CBI's request was not backed by ample judicial documents.

The El Dorado court in its 'detailed order' stated that India had to lose its case against Quattrocchi because it did not get "fresh arrest warrant" against him.

The court raised questions about the 1997 Interpol's Red Corner Notice against Quattrocchi, which apparently was not valid in the absence of an arrest warrant.

The court of Judge Hachiro Doi in El Dorado declared Quattrocchi's detention illegal.

On the basis of the Interpol's notice Quattrocchi was arrested on February 6 at Iguazu International Airport in Argentina.

Earlier, the court asked the CBI to pay Quattrocchi's legal fees in Argentina. As per Argentinean law, such orders are issued if judge believes that the defendant did not have a case to answer.

On December 13, 2002, India failed to obtain Quattrocchi's extradition from Malaysia after a court there dismissed India's plea due to insufficient evidence.

Quattrocchi is accused of cheating the Indian exchequer while brokering a deal for the purchase of Swedish-made Bofors field guns in 1987.

The then Rajiv Gandhi Government had signed the Rs 1,437 crore deal with AB Bofors in March 1986 for the supply of 400 Howitzer field guns for the Army on the condition that the parties would engage no middlemen.

After obtaining the contract, AB Bofors had alleged that it had paid a commission of Swedish Croner 50.46 million to Quattrocchi through arms supply agent AE Services Ltd.

ANI