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CBI says separate trial
for Hindujas possible

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday conceded that the extradition of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi would take sometime and informed the Delhi High Court that to avoid delay, the three Hinduja brothers could be tried separately in the Rs 640-million Bofors pay-off case.

"Since the extradition of Quattrocchi and A B Bofors' former chief Martin Ardbo, both of whom are accused in the case, will take sometime, CBI is ready to apply to the trial court to try the three Hinduja brothers separately," the agency counsel N Natarajan told Justice S K Aggarwal.

He said the three brothers - S P Hinduja, G P Hinduja and P P Hinduja - could be tried along with former defence secretary S K Bhatnagar, former Bofors agent Win Chadha and the Swedish gun manufacturing company.

However, the judge asked the CBI to file a formal affidavit in this regard.

Justice Aggarwal posted the case, in which the Hindujas have challenged the trial court's decision not to permit them to go abroad, for further hearing on March 23.

The high court also expressed dissatisfaction over the affidavits filed by the Hindujas pursuant to its March 9 order asking them to give details of the funds received by them from A B Bofors.

Justice Aggarwal said the certificate issued by the chartered accountant Atag Ernst & Young was of 1993 and it had taken into account the status of the money till December 1989.

The judge asked the three brothers to file a fresh affidavit giving details of the current market value of the funds.

Counsel for the Hindujas, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, said it was not immediately possible to assess the market value of the funds which were invested in various companies belonging to the Hinduja group.

PTI

Bofors Controversy: The Entire Coverage

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