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Final set of Bofors papers arrives in Delhi

Amberish K Diwanji in New Delhi

The Bofors papers have reached New Delhi and are now in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation. External affairs ministry spokesman Raminder Singh Jassal said today that the papers reached India despite some last-minute measures by the appellants to block the papers from leaving Switzerland.

Making an official announcement, the spokesman said, "On December 16, we had announced that the Government of India was engaged through appropriate channels in the process of obtaining the remaining documents regarding the Bofors case from Switzerland. We had also announced that these documents were handed over to the custody of the Indian ambassador in Berne.

"Subsequently, on December 17, lawyers for the appellant mounted a number of challenges addressed to the Swiss authorities to prevent the transfer of the papers to India. These attempts proved to be abortive and in co-operation with the Swiss authorities, it was arranged for these papers to be brought back to India safely and securely."

The spokesperson refused to say anything more about the appellants or even name the Swiss authorities to whom the appeal was addressed.

The Bofors case relates to the payment of Rs 640 million as commission in the purchase of howitzer guns from Bofors AB based in Sweden.

The last batch of papers was to have been delivered last year, but was blocked by appeals even then. The appeals were finally rejected by the Swiss courts, which directed that the papers be handed over to the Indian authorities.

The Bofors case is at present pending in the special court set up to adjudicate the matter, and various names have been mentioned in the chargesheet. These include late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, non-resident businessman Win Chaddha, former bureaucrat S K Bhatnagar, Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi and former Bofors chief executive officer Martin Ardbo.

Besides them, it is the suspected involvement of the Hindujas that has created such a furore. The Hindujas, billionaire businessmen based in London, are known to be close to many politicians, including some from the ruling coalition.

Chaddha, Quattrocchi and Ardbo are out of the country, leaving only Bhatnagar present during the hearing of the case.

The special judge hearing the case, Ajit Bharihoke, has issued non-bailable warrants for Win Chaddha and Ardbo, both declared absconding, while Bhatnagar has been granted bail on condition that he must not leave the country.

The Bofors payoffs scandal

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