Author: Political Bureau
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: May 24, 2009
URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Advocate-challenges-CBI-move/articleshow/4461491.cms
The CBI's decision to erase the name of Bofors
accused Ottavio Quattrocchi from its list of most wanted persons was challenged
in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. It is likely to be mentioned before the court
on Wednesday.
In an application, advocate Ajay K Agrawal
has sought direction of the court to "stay the operation of any withdrawal
of Red Corner Notice against accused Quattrocchi".
Mr Agrawal has further sought direction of
the court to restore the Red Corner Notice of Interpol against the Italian
businessman. "The international agency should be informed immediately
so that Quattrocchi could be nabbed and produced before the competent court
in India to face trial in the Bofors case," said Mr Agrawal.
The applicant, alleging political compulsion
behind agency's move, further said: "It becomes imperative that CBI be
called upon to place entire record before this Hon'ble Court pertaining the
entire matter. CBI cannot withhold the record from this Hon'ble Court".
The Interpol has taken Quattrocchi's name
off the Red Corner Notice following a communication from CBI on the basis
of the opinion of Attorney General Milon Banerjee who was approached by the
agency last year for his view if it was necessary to continue with alert notice.
The application alleged that Red Corner Notice
against Quattrocchi was in existence from 1997 and CBI was again and again
making written statements before the Trial Court that efforts for tracing
the fugitive are on and as soon as Quattrocchi is held he will be produced
before the court".
But the decision of the agency to withdraw
the notice on the basis of the opinion furnished by the top legal officer
of the country was ladden with political compulsion, alleged the application.
"This is a peculiar case wherein CBI
has proved itself to be a tool in the hands of the government, losing its
image of being the premier investigating agency of the country", submitted
the applicant.
Advocate Agrawal told ET that he will mention
the matter before the court on Wednesday. He had also filed a petition in
March 2007 accusing CBI and its then director of consistently misleading the
court over the extradition proceedings initiated against Quattrocchi.
Agrawal had moved another application questioning
government's effort in securing the foreign national's extradition from Argentina
after he was detained there in February 2007.
