Congress refuses to comment ITAT's findings

NEW DELHI: With the ITAT order putting the spotlight back on the Bofors scandal, there is apprehension in the Congress that it will inject new fore into the Opposition’s campaign against the government.

Although party leaders insisted that there was “no logic” in the case, they conceded that it would offer a fresh opportunity for the Opposition to resurrect the issue. “With the same set of facts one is liable for damages under income tax or revenue laws but not liable for criminal proceedings. In a criminal court one has to establish charges beyond all reasonable doubt. So, this judgement is nothing new. It is based on the same facts. In fact, a majority of the judgement reproduces the CBI chargesheet which was quashed,” a senior leader said. However, he admitted that such common man may not care about the finer details but will go with the spirit of the ITAT order.

The Congress’ media department was also gearing up for a measured response. “Our response is clear. We never said that Win Chadha or Quattrocchi should be protected. But did NDA government do its best in pursuing them,” a senior Congress leader asked.

The party, however, is certain to come under pressure to act on the ITAT order and withdraw the plea filed in the court for closing the Bofors case. Its reluctance to do it will be cited as yet another instance of cover-up of a corruption case by the Opposition.

Officially, Congress refused to react on the judgement. “We have to read the judgement. We will certainly react. But we are not going to be hurried into reacting to it just because BJP has reacted,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.