CBI seeks time to decide course of action against Quattrocchi

NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court on Thursday adjourned till September 8 the hearing in the Bofors payoffs case against Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi after the CBI sought two months time to decide further course of action against him following his name being withdrawn from the list of wanted persons.

During a brief hearing before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja, Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra, appearing for CBI, filed an application informing the court that the Red Corner Notice issued against Quattrocchi was withdrawn in November last year.

The court then inquired as to what options were left with the prosecution in the case against Quattrocchi.

"There were eight accused in the case. Three are already dead, four were acquitted by the Delhi High Court in February 2004. Various attempts to get Quattrochi extradiated to India have failed," the ASG said, sidestepping the question put to him.

In her order deferring the hearing till September 8, the Magistrate said, "An application filed on behalf of CBI seeks period of two months to decide further course of action in the matter".