New Delhi
26 January 2006
A former Indian ambassador to Sweden has said he is "stunned" by
the UPA Government's approval for defreezing Ottavio Quattrocchi's accounts in a
London bank and urged the Prime Minister to take appropriate action in the matter.
In a January 12 letter to Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr BM Oza, who served as the Indian
envoy to Stockholm between 1984 and 1988 when the Bofors deal was signed, wrote that
allowing Mr Quattrocchi to withdraw the Rs 21 crore from his bank accounts was
"irregular and illegal."
Mr Quattrocchi, Mr Oza wrote, was a "fugitive from Indian law" as there is an arrest
warrant against him. The Italian businessman has not presented himself for prosecution
and therefore could not be given a 'clean chit' yet.
"What has been done is irregular and illegal as is evident from the Supreme Court order
asking for maintaining status quo and ensuring that Quattrocchi did not withdraw
money," the former envoy said. "His (Quattrocchi's) involvement is unmistakable," Mr
Oza said.
The Centre has since replied that the money was withdrawn on January 16.
Along with the letter, Mr Oza appended three pages from his book, Bofors: The
Ambassador's Evidence, to substantiate Quattrocchi's involvement in the Bofors deal
and his connections with certain politicians in India.
The pages 102 to 104 of his book, which was published in 1997, elaborate on the
"obvious link" between Quattrocchi and the Bofors deal.
Ottavio Quattrocchi is one of six accused in the Bofors case. Four of the accused -- the
late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Win Chadha, Martin Ardbo and SK Bhatnagar -- have
since passed away. The Hindujas were tried and acquitted by the Indian courts. A court
case is pending against Quattrocchi.
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