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{{Short description|1980s–90s Indian–Swedish corruption scandal related to defence equipment sales}} | {{Short description|1980s–90s Indian–Swedish corruption scandal related to defence equipment sales}} | ||
{{EngvarB|date=July | {{EngvarB|date=July 2022}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} | ||
[[File:Haubits 77 ("Field Howitzer 77" or FH-77).jpg|thumb|[[Haubits FH77]] [[howitzer]], of the type around which the Bofors scandal centered.]] | [[File:Haubits 77 ("Field Howitzer 77" or FH-77).jpg|thumb|[[Haubits FH77]] [[howitzer]], of the type around which the Bofors scandal centered.]] | ||
The '''Bofors scandal''' was a major weapons-contract [[political scandal]] that occurred between [[India]] and [[Sweden]] during the 1980s and 1990s, initiated by [[Indian National Congress]] politicians and implicating the Indian prime minister, [[Rajiv Gandhi]], and several other members of the Indian and Swedish governments who were accused of receiving [[Kickback (bribery)|kickbacks]] from [[Bofors|Bofors AB]], an arms manufacturer principally financed by the [[Wallenberg family]]'s [[Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken]],<ref>{{cite book |author1-last=Whiteside |author1-first=R. M.|author2-last=Wilson |author2-first=A. |author3-last=Blackburn |author3-first=S. |author4-last=Hörnig |author4-first=S. E. |title=Major Companies of Europe 1990/91 Volume 3: Major Companies of Western Europe outside the European Economic Community |page=185 |year=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2tz6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA185|isbn=9789400908017}}</ref> for winning a bid to supply to India their [[Haubits FH77|155 mm field howitzer]].<ref name=ottavio/> The scandal relates to illegal kickbacks paid in a US$1.4-billion deal between the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors with the [[government of India]] for the sale of 410 field howitzer guns, and a supply contract almost twice that amount. It was the biggest arms deal ever in Sweden, and money marked for development projects was diverted to secure this contract at any cost. The investigations revealed flouting of rules and bypassing of institutions.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Bofors story, 25 years after : Interview with Sten Lindstrom |url= http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |access-date=4 March 2014 |newspaper=The Hoot |date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120618134030/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date= 18 June 2012 }}</ref> | The '''Bofors scandal''' was a major weapons-contract [[political scandal]] that occurred between [[India]] and [[Sweden]] during the 1980s and 1990s, initiated by [[Indian National Congress]] politicians and implicating the Indian prime minister, [[Rajiv Gandhi]], and several other members of the Indian and Swedish governments who were accused of receiving [[Kickback (bribery)|kickbacks]] from [[Bofors|Bofors AB]], an arms manufacturer principally financed by the [[Wallenberg family]]'s [[Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken]],<ref>{{cite book |author1-last=Whiteside |author1-first=R. M.|author2-last=Wilson |author2-first=A. |author3-last=Blackburn |author3-first=S. |author4-last=Hörnig |author4-first=S. E. |title=Major Companies of Europe 1990/91 Volume 3: Major Companies of Western Europe outside the European Economic Community |page=185 |year=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2tz6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA185|isbn=9789400908017}}</ref> for winning a bid to supply to India their [[Haubits FH77|155 mm field howitzer]].<ref name=ottavio/> The scandal relates to illegal kickbacks paid in a US$1.4-billion deal between the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors with the [[government of India]] for the sale of 410 field howitzer guns, and a supply contract almost twice that amount. It was the biggest arms deal ever in Sweden, and money marked for development projects was diverted to secure this contract at any cost. The investigations revealed flouting of rules and bypassing of institutions.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Bofors story, 25 years after : Interview with Sten Lindstrom |url= http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |access-date=4 March 2014 |newspaper=The Hoot |date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120618134030/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date= 18 June 2012 }}</ref> | ||
On 16 April 1987, a Swedish radio station broke out a story based on a [[whistleblower]] in the Swedish police, alleging that the reputed Swedish artillery manufacturer Bofors had paid kickbacks to people in several countries, including Sweden and India, to secure a {{INRConvert|15|b|year=1986|lk=r}} contract. This had been done the previous year for a deal to supply 410 155 mm calibre howitzer guns for the Indian army.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Joseph |first1=Josy |title=Arms and the Middlemen |url= http://www.indialegallive.com/viewpoint/arms-and-the-middlemen-14454 |website= www.indialegallive.com |publisher=India Legal |access-date=25 October | On 16 April 1987, a Swedish radio station broke out a story based on a [[whistleblower]] in the Swedish police, alleging that the reputed Swedish artillery manufacturer Bofors had paid kickbacks to people in several countries, including Sweden and India, to secure a {{INRConvert|15|b|year=1986|lk=r}} contract. This had been done the previous year for a deal to supply 410 155 mm calibre howitzer guns for the Indian army.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Joseph |first1=Josy |title=Arms and the Middlemen |url= http://www.indialegallive.com/viewpoint/arms-and-the-middlemen-14454 |website= www.indialegallive.com |publisher=India Legal |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> However, none of the newspapers in India were aware of this. In May 1987, a broadcast by a Swedish radio station revealed that bribes of {{INRConvert|600|m|year=1986}} had been paid by Bofors to Indian politicians, members of the Congress party and bureaucrats. This was picked up by a young journalist from ''[[The Hindu]]'', [[Chitra Subramaniam]], who happened to be in Sweden at that time, covering another story. The scale of the corruption was far worse than any that Sweden and India had seen before and directly led to the defeat of Gandhi's ruling Indian National Congress party in the November [[1989 Indian general election|1989 general elections]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Josy |title=Arms and the middleman |url= https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/arms-and-the-middleman/article8548067.ece |access-date=25 October 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=3 May 2022}}</ref> The Swedish company paid {{INRConvert|640|m}} in kickbacks to top Indian politicians and key defence officials.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=89&id=39264&option=com_content&task=view§ionid=4 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120716110017/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=89&id=39264&option=com_content&task=view§ionid=4 |url-status=dead |archive-date= 2012-07-16 |title=Key players in Bofors scandal : Latest Headlines, News - India Today |publisher='Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2009-04-28 |access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> | ||
The case came into light during [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]]'s tenure as defence minister, and was revealed through investigative journalism tipped off by a [[Reuters]] news revelation on Swedish radio, followed up by a team led by [[N. Ram]] of the newspaper ''[[The Hindu]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/sep/23vir.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT: Vir Sanghvi looks back at the Bofors scandal |work= Rediff.com |date= 23 September 1999}}</ref> The journalist who secured the over 350 documents that detailed the payoffs was [[Chitra Subramaniam]] reporting for ''The Hindu''. Later the articles were published in ''[[The Indian Express]]'' and ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'' when ''The Hindu'' stopped publishing stories about the Bofors scandal under immense government pressure and Chitra Subramaniam moved to the two newspapers. In an interview with her, published in ''The Hoot'' in April 2012 on the 25th anniversary of the revelations,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884&mod=1&pg=1§ionId=1 |title=The Bofors story, 25 years after |publisher=Thehoot.org |date=16 April 1987 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304093344/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date= 4 March 2014 }}</ref> Sten Lindstrom, former chief of Swedish police, discussed why he leaked the documents to her and the role of whistle-blowers in a democracy.<ref name=ottavio>{{cite news |title=What the Bofors scandal is all about |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/what-the-bofors-scandal-is-all-about/252196-3.html |newspaper=IBN Live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120828181941/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/what-the-bofors-scandal-is-all-about/252196-3.html |archive-date=28 August 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> | The case came into light during [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]]'s tenure as defence minister, and was revealed through investigative journalism tipped off by a [[Reuters]] news revelation on Swedish radio, followed up by a team led by [[N. Ram]] of the newspaper ''[[The Hindu]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/sep/23vir.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT: Vir Sanghvi looks back at the Bofors scandal |work= Rediff.com |date= 23 September 1999}}</ref> The journalist who secured the over 350 documents that detailed the payoffs was [[Chitra Subramaniam]] reporting for ''The Hindu''. Later the articles were published in ''[[The Indian Express]]'' and ''[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]'' when ''The Hindu'' stopped publishing stories about the Bofors scandal under immense government pressure and Chitra Subramaniam moved to the two newspapers. In an interview with her, published in ''The Hoot'' in April 2012 on the 25th anniversary of the revelations,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884&mod=1&pg=1§ionId=1 |title=The Bofors story, 25 years after |publisher=Thehoot.org |date=16 April 1987 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304093344/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date= 4 March 2014 }}</ref> Sten Lindstrom, former chief of Swedish police, discussed why he leaked the documents to her and the role of whistle-blowers in a democracy.<ref name=ottavio>{{cite news |title=What the Bofors scandal is all about |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/what-the-bofors-scandal-is-all-about/252196-3.html |newspaper=IBN Live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120828181941/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/what-the-bofors-scandal-is-all-about/252196-3.html |archive-date=28 August 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> | ||
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'''March 24, 1986''' - A $285 million contract between the [[Government of India]] and Swedish arms company [[Bofors]] was signed for supply of 410 155 mm Howitzer field guns.<ref name=bofors>{{cite news |title=25 years of India's 'Watergate': The Bofors scandal |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/25-years-indias-watergate-bofors-scandal-135113721.html;_ylt=Alj5KdzFteYFGnJnR7t2kny6scB_;_ylu=X3oDMTFxbGs3Y3Z1BG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-;_ylg=X3oDMTNpbHR1dmhuBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNlbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDODc2ZTBhMWEtMDRhMi0zMGUyLTllYmQtMDNkZjFmZDEyZDQ0BHBzdGNhdANob21lfGdvdmVybm1lbnR2c3RlYW1hbm5hBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3 |newspaper=[[Yahoo! News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105221147/https://in.news.yahoo.com/25-years-indias-watergate-bofors-scandal-135113721.html%3B_ylt%3DAlj5KdzFteYFGnJnR7t2kny6scB_%3B_ylu%3DX3oDMTFxbGs3Y3Z1BG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-%3B_ylg%3DX3oDMTNpbHR1dmhuBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNlbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDODc2ZTBhMWEtMDRhMi0zMGUyLTllYmQtMDNkZjFmZDEyZDQ0BHBzdGNhdANob21lfGdvdmVybm1lbnR2c3RlYW1hbm5hBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--%3B_ylv%3D3 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref> | '''March 24, 1986''' - A $285 million contract between the [[Government of India]] and Swedish arms company [[Bofors]] was signed for supply of 410 155 mm Howitzer field guns.<ref name=bofors>{{cite news |title=25 years of India's 'Watergate': The Bofors scandal |url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/25-years-indias-watergate-bofors-scandal-135113721.html;_ylt=Alj5KdzFteYFGnJnR7t2kny6scB_;_ylu=X3oDMTFxbGs3Y3Z1BG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-;_ylg=X3oDMTNpbHR1dmhuBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNlbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDODc2ZTBhMWEtMDRhMi0zMGUyLTllYmQtMDNkZjFmZDEyZDQ0BHBzdGNhdANob21lfGdvdmVybm1lbnR2c3RlYW1hbm5hBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3 |newspaper=[[Yahoo! News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105221147/https://in.news.yahoo.com/25-years-indias-watergate-bofors-scandal-135113721.html%3B_ylt%3DAlj5KdzFteYFGnJnR7t2kny6scB_%3B_ylu%3DX3oDMTFxbGs3Y3Z1BG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVGV4dARwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFJbmZpbml0ZUJyb3dzZUxpc3Q-%3B_ylg%3DX3oDMTNpbHR1dmhuBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNlbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDODc2ZTBhMWEtMDRhMi0zMGUyLTllYmQtMDNkZjFmZDEyZDQ0BHBzdGNhdANob21lfGdvdmVybm1lbnR2c3RlYW1hbm5hBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--%3B_ylv%3D3 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref> | ||
'''April 16, 1987''' - [[Sveriges Radio|Swedish Radio]] alleged that Bofors paid [[Kickback (bribery)|kickbacks]] to people from a number of countries including top Swedish<ref>{{cite news|title=The Bofors story, 25 years after : An Interview with Sten Lindstrom |url=http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |access-date=4 March 2014 |newspaper=The Hoot |date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618134030/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date=18 June 2012 }}</ref> and Indian politicians and key defence officials to seal the deal.<ref name=bofors/><ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Chitra Subramaniam and Madhu Trehan|url=http://www.newslaundry.com/2012/06/01/chitra-the-story-behind-bofors-2/|work=Chitra : The story behind Bofors|publisher=News Laundry|access-date=4 March | '''April 16, 1987''' - [[Sveriges Radio|Swedish Radio]] alleged that Bofors paid [[Kickback (bribery)|kickbacks]] to people from a number of countries including top Swedish<ref>{{cite news|title=The Bofors story, 25 years after : An Interview with Sten Lindstrom |url=http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |access-date=4 March 2014 |newspaper=The Hoot |date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618134030/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date=18 June 2012 }}</ref> and Indian politicians and key defence officials to seal the deal.<ref name=bofors/><ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Chitra Subramaniam and Madhu Trehan|url=http://www.newslaundry.com/2012/06/01/chitra-the-story-behind-bofors-2/|work=Chitra : The story behind Bofors|publisher=News Laundry|access-date=4 March 2022}}</ref> | ||
'''1987''' - As a result of the revelations, the Indian government [[blacklisted]] Bofors, preventing the company from doing business in India.<ref name=past>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Past-still-haunts-defence-ministry/articleshow/28251007.cms Past still haunts defence ministry]</ref> The middleman associated with the scandal was [[Ottavio Quattrocchi]], an [[Italians|Italian]] businessman who represented the petrochemicals firm [[Snamprogetti]].<ref name=ottavio/> Quattrocchi was reportedly close to the family of Rajiv Gandhi and emerged as a powerful broker in the 1980s between big businesses and the Indian government.<ref name=ottavio/> | '''1987''' - As a result of the revelations, the Indian government [[blacklisted]] Bofors, preventing the company from doing business in India.<ref name=past>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Past-still-haunts-defence-ministry/articleshow/28251007.cms Past still haunts defence ministry]</ref> The middleman associated with the scandal was [[Ottavio Quattrocchi]], an [[Italians|Italian]] businessman who represented the petrochemicals firm [[Snamprogetti]].<ref name=ottavio/> Quattrocchi was reportedly close to the family of Rajiv Gandhi and emerged as a powerful broker in the 1980s between big businesses and the Indian government.<ref name=ottavio/> | ||
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'''2001''' - Win Chadha and [[S. K. Bhatnagar]] died.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/10/25/stories/0225000c.htm |title=Win Chadha's death, a setback to Bofors case |work=The Hindu |date=25 October 2001 |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620114757/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/10/25/stories/0225000c.htm |archive-date=20 June 2006 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> | '''2001''' - Win Chadha and [[S. K. Bhatnagar]] died.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/10/25/stories/0225000c.htm |title=Win Chadha's death, a setback to Bofors case |work=The Hindu |date=25 October 2001 |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620114757/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/10/25/stories/0225000c.htm |archive-date=20 June 2006 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> | ||
June 10, 2002 - [[Delhi High Court]] [[Motion to quash|quashed]] all proceedings in the case so far. However, this was reversed by [[Supreme Court of India]] on 7 July 2003.<ref name="SC court reverses Delhi HC decision to quash all proceeding in Bofors scam">{{cite web | url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/767596/ | title=SC court reverses Delhi HC decision to quash all proceeding in Bofors scam | publisher=indiankanoon.org | access-date=26 April | '''June 10, 2002''' - [[Delhi High Court]] [[Motion to quash|quashed]] all proceedings in the case so far. However, this was reversed by [[Supreme Court of India]] on 7 July 2003.<ref name="SC court reverses Delhi HC decision to quash all proceeding in Bofors scam">{{cite web | url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/767596/ | title=SC court reverses Delhi HC decision to quash all proceeding in Bofors scam | publisher=indiankanoon.org | access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref> | ||
'''2004''' - The central government changed and [[Indian National Congress]] came to power after [[2004 Lok Sabha elections]]. On 5 February 2004, the [[Delhi High Court]] quashed the charges of [[bribery]] against Rajiv Gandhi and others.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3458319.stm | work=BBC News | title=Rajiv Gandhi cleared over bribery | date=4 February | '''2004''' - The central government changed and [[Indian National Congress]] came to power after [[2004 Lok Sabha elections]]. On 5 February 2004, the [[Delhi High Court]] quashed the charges of [[bribery]] against Rajiv Gandhi and others.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3458319.stm | work=BBC News | title=Rajiv Gandhi cleared over bribery | date=4 February 2022}}</ref> | ||
May 31, 2005 - The [[Delhi High Court]] dismissed the allegations against the [[British people|British]] business brothers, [[S P Hinduja|Srichand]], [[Gopichand Hinduja|Gopichand]] and [[Prakash Hinduja]], but charges against others remained.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2213/stories/20050701004003100.htm |title=Welcome to Frontline : Vol. 30 :: No. 05 |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217084108/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2213/stories/20050701004003100.htm |archive-date=17 December 2009 |url-status=usurped |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | '''May 31, 2005''' - The [[Delhi High Court]] dismissed the allegations against the [[British people|British]] business brothers, [[S P Hinduja|Srichand]], [[Gopichand Hinduja|Gopichand]] and [[Prakash Hinduja]], but charges against others remained.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2213/stories/20050701004003100.htm |title=Welcome to Frontline : Vol. 30 :: No. 05 |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217084108/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2213/stories/20050701004003100.htm |archive-date=17 December 2009 |url-status=usurped |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | ||
'''December 2005''' - B. Daat, the [[Additional Solicitor General of India]], acting on behalf of the Indian Government and the CBI, requested the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British Government]] that two British bank accounts of Quattrocchi be unfrozen on the grounds of insufficient evidence to link these accounts to the Bofors payoff. The two accounts, containing €3 million and $1 million, had been frozen. On 16 January, the Indian Supreme Court directed the Indian government to ensure that Ottavio Quattrocchi did not withdraw money from the two bank accounts in London. The CBI, the Indian federal law enforcement agency, on 23 January 2006 admitted that roughly ₹210 million, about US$4.6 million, in the two accounts have already been withdrawn by the accused. The British government released the funds later.<ref name="dnaindia.com"/> | '''December 2005''' - B. Daat, the [[Additional Solicitor General of India]], acting on behalf of the Indian Government and the CBI, requested the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British Government]] that two British bank accounts of Quattrocchi be unfrozen on the grounds of insufficient evidence to link these accounts to the Bofors payoff. The two accounts, containing €3 million and $1 million, had been frozen. On 16 January, the Indian Supreme Court directed the Indian government to ensure that Ottavio Quattrocchi did not withdraw money from the two bank accounts in London. The CBI, the Indian federal law enforcement agency, on 23 January 2006 admitted that roughly ₹210 million, about US$4.6 million, in the two accounts have already been withdrawn by the accused. The British government released the funds later.<ref name="dnaindia.com"/> | ||
'''January 16, 2006''' - CBI claimed in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court that they were still pursuing extradition orders for Quattrocchi. The [[Interpol]], at the request of the CBI, has a long-standing red corner notice to arrest Quattrocchi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/news527876.html |title=CBI seeks time to mull on Quattrocchi's case |date=30 April 2009 |publisher=Zeenews.com |access-date=2014-03-14 | '''January 16, 2006''' - CBI claimed in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court that they were still pursuing extradition orders for Quattrocchi. The [[Interpol]], at the request of the CBI, has a long-standing red corner notice to arrest Quattrocchi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/news527876.html |title=CBI seeks time to mull on Quattrocchi's case |date=30 April 2009 |publisher=Zeenews.com |access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> | ||
'''March 4, 2011''' - A Delhi court provided temporary relief to Quattrocchi from the case, for lack of sufficient evidence against him.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-05/india/28658179_1_light-of-various-factors-win-chaddha-and-quattrocchi-bofors-case | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404193323/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-05/india/28658179_1_light-of-various-factors-win-chaddha-and-quattrocchi-bofors-case | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 April 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Bofors case: 'Petitioner interested in cheap publicity' | date=5 March | '''6 February 2007''' - Quattrocchi was detained in [[Argentina]] on 6 February 2007, but the news of his detention was released by the CBI only on 23 February. Quattrocchi was released by Argentinian police. However, his [[passport]] was impounded and he was not allowed to leave the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070226&fname=bofors&sid=1 |title=The Q Deja Vu, Outlook Feb 26, 2007 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305002132/http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20070226&fname=bofors&sid=1 |archive-date=5 March 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As there was no [[extradition]] treaty between India and Argentina, the case was presented in the [[Argentine Supreme Court]]. The government of India lost the extradition case as the government of India did not provide a key court order which was the basis of Quattrocchi's arrest. In the aftermath, the government did not appeal this decision because of delays in securing an official English translation of the court's decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2417/stories/20070907506608900.htm |title=Welcome to Frontline : Vol. 30 :: No. 05 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417050135/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2417/stories/20070907506608900.htm |archive-date=17 April 2008 }}</ref> | ||
'''March 4, 2011''' - A Delhi court provided temporary relief to Quattrocchi from the case, for lack of sufficient evidence against him.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-05/india/28658179_1_light-of-various-factors-win-chaddha-and-quattrocchi-bofors-case | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404193323/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-05/india/28658179_1_light-of-various-factors-win-chaddha-and-quattrocchi-bofors-case | url-status=dead | archive-date=4 April 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Bofors case: 'Petitioner interested in cheap publicity' | date=5 March 2022}}</ref> | |||
'''July 12, 2013''' - Quattrochi died of [[heart attack]] in [[Milan]].<ref>{{cite web|author=+ val.created_at + |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bofors-scam-italian-businessman-ottavio-quattrocchi-dies-391837 |title=Bofors scam: Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi dies |publisher=NDTV.com |date=2013-07-13 |access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> | '''July 12, 2013''' - Quattrochi died of [[heart attack]] in [[Milan]].<ref>{{cite web|author=+ val.created_at + |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bofors-scam-italian-businessman-ottavio-quattrocchi-dies-391837 |title=Bofors scam: Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi dies |publisher=NDTV.com |date=2013-07-13 |access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> | ||
Despite the controversy, the Bofors gun was used extensively as the primary field artillery during the [[Kargil War]] with [[Pakistan]] and gave India 'an edge' against Pakistan according to battlefield commanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/jul/08/bofors-gun-helped-india-win-against-pak.htm |title=Bofors gun helped India win against Pak|work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=8 July | Despite the controversy, the Bofors gun was used extensively as the primary field artillery during the [[Kargil War]] with [[Pakistan]] and gave India 'an edge' against Pakistan according to battlefield commanders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/jul/08/bofors-gun-helped-india-win-against-pak.htm |title=Bofors gun helped India win against Pak|work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=8 July 2022}}</ref> | ||
In his book, ''Unknown Facets of Rajiv Gandhi, Jyoti Basu and Indrajit Gupta'', released in November 2013, former [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] director Dr A P Mukherjee wrote that Rajiv Gandhi wanted commission paid by defence suppliers to be used exclusively for the purpose of meeting expenses of running the Congress party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rajiv-gandhi-told-me-to-use-arms-deal-payoffs-for-party-funds-excbi-chief/1194313/ |title=Rajiv Gandhi told me to use arms deal payoffs for party funds: Ex-CBI chief |publisher=Indian Express |date=2013-11-13 |access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> Mukherjee said Gandhi explained his position in a meeting on 19 June 1989, during a meeting between the two at the Prime Minister's residence.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rajiv Gandhi wanted Bofors money to run Congress: Ex-CBI chief|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajiv-Gandhi-wanted-Bofors-money-to-run-Congress-Ex-CBI-chief/articleshow/25720914.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|date=14 Nov | In his book, ''Unknown Facets of Rajiv Gandhi, Jyoti Basu and Indrajit Gupta'', released in November 2013, former [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] director Dr A P Mukherjee wrote that Rajiv Gandhi wanted commission paid by defence suppliers to be used exclusively for the purpose of meeting expenses of running the Congress party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rajiv-gandhi-told-me-to-use-arms-deal-payoffs-for-party-funds-excbi-chief/1194313/ |title=Rajiv Gandhi told me to use arms deal payoffs for party funds: Ex-CBI chief |publisher=Indian Express |date=2013-11-13 |access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> Mukherjee said Gandhi explained his position in a meeting on 19 June 1989, during a meeting between the two at the Prime Minister's residence.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rajiv Gandhi wanted Bofors money to run Congress: Ex-CBI chief|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajiv-Gandhi-wanted-Bofors-money-to-run-Congress-Ex-CBI-chief/articleshow/25720914.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|date=14 Nov 2022}}</ref> However, as per Sten Lindstrom, the former head of Swedish police, who led the investigations, they did not find anything to suggest that payments had been received by Rajiv Gandhi. He was, however, guilty of knowing about the kickbacks and not taking action on them.<ref>{{cite news|last=Subramaniam |first=Chitra |title=The bofors story : 25 years after - an interview with Sten Lindstrom |url=http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |access-date=4 March 2014 |newspaper=The Hoot |date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304093344/http://thehoot.org/web/home/story.php?storyid=5884 |archive-date=4 March 2014 }}</ref> | ||
==Political effects== | ==Political effects== | ||
The Bofors scandal was a major issue that was highlighted in subsequent elections, which led to the Congress losing power. Though it was widely believed that V. P. Singh resigned from Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet due to the Bofors scandal, Singh clarified that he had resigned due to differences in the cabinet in commissions taken by Indian agents in the [[Shishumar-class submarine|HDW submarine deal (Shishumar class)]]<ref name="vp">{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shekhar |title=Walk the talk - an interview with V.P.Singh |url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/walk-the-talk/walk-the-talk-with-vp-singh-aired-july-2005-303898 |access-date=25 October 2018 |publisher=NDTV |date=1 July | The Bofors scandal was a major issue that was highlighted in subsequent elections, which led to the Congress losing power. Though it was widely believed that V. P. Singh resigned from Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet due to the Bofors scandal, Singh clarified that he had resigned due to differences in the cabinet in commissions taken by Indian agents in the [[Shishumar-class submarine|HDW submarine deal (Shishumar class)]].<ref name="vp">{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shekhar |title=Walk the talk - an interview with V.P.Singh |url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/walk-the-talk/walk-the-talk-with-vp-singh-aired-july-2005-303898 |access-date=25 October 2018 |publisher=NDTV |date=1 July 2022}}</ref> | ||
==Middlemen in Indian arms deals== | ==Middlemen in Indian arms deals== | ||
Middlemen were employed in arms deals in India, both during the [[British Raj]] as well as in independent India, and [[A Feast of Vultures|commissions]] were paid to them under various headings and guises.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arms and the Middlemen - 7 September 2016 |url=http://www.indialegallive.com/viewpoint/arms-and-the-middlemen-14454 |website=India Legal |publisher=India legal |access-date=25 October | Middlemen were employed in arms deals in India, both during the [[British Raj]] as well as in independent India, and [[A Feast of Vultures|commissions]] were paid to them under various headings and guises.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arms and the Middlemen - 7 September 2016 |url=http://www.indialegallive.com/viewpoint/arms-and-the-middlemen-14454 |website=India Legal |publisher=India legal |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> Some of these were paid as personal bribes while others were paid as contributions to political parties.<ref name="vultures">{{cite book |last1=Joseph |first1=Josy |title=A Feast of Vultures: The Hidden Business of Democracy in India |date=15 July 2016 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-9350297513 |url=https://www.afeastofvultures.com |access-date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150142/http://afeastofvultures.com/ |archive-date=25 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This led to high levels of corruption, and payments being made to politicians, bureaucrats and defence personnel to influence decisions. The political controversies caused by the Bofors Scandal, led to the banning of middlemen in arms deals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Josy |title=Arms and the middleman |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/arms-and-the-middleman/article8548067.ece |access-date=25 October 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=3 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=M. |date=1997-04-21 |title=Bofors Ghost Casts Shadow On Indian Sales Of Arms Majors |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/bofors-ghost-casts-shadow-on-indian-sales-of-arms-majors-197042101011_1.html |access-date=2022-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=2005 |title=The murky world of defence deals {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-murky-world-of-defence-deals/articleshow/1086577.cms |access-date=2022-04-13 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> | ||
In 2015, the Government of India under the [[Narendra Modi]] government made the use of middlemen in arms deals legal, if they called themselves "company representatives".<ref>{{cite news |title=Modi govt to legalise middlemen in arms deals? |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/defence-news-modi-govt-to-legalise-middlemen-in-arms-deals/20141213.htm |access-date=25 October 2018 |publisher=Rediff News |date=13 December | In 2015, the Government of India under the [[Narendra Modi]] government made the use of middlemen in arms deals legal, if they called themselves "company representatives".<ref>{{cite news |title=Modi govt to legalise middlemen in arms deals? |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/defence-news-modi-govt-to-legalise-middlemen-in-arms-deals/20141213.htm |access-date=25 October 2018 |publisher=Rediff News |date=13 December 2022}}</ref> The then defence minister [[Manohar Parrikar]] announced that in such cases, middlemen would be paid by the government for fixing arms deals under the name of "legal fees".<ref>{{cite news |last1= Doval |first1=Nikita |title=The debate over defence middlemen |url= https://www.livemint.com/Politics/ZZHAX9ICUglFcfCAqsdUMM/The-debate-over-defence-middlemen.html |access-date= 25 October 2018 |publisher=Live Mint |date=13 January 2022}}</ref> | ||
==Allegations against CBI== | ==Allegations against CBI== | ||
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*Delay in sending [[letter rogatory|letter rogatories]] | *Delay in sending [[letter rogatory|letter rogatories]] | ||
*Not appealing against the judgement of the [[Delhi High Court]] in 2004 | *Not appealing against the judgement of the [[Delhi High Court]] in 2004 | ||
*De-freezing of Quattrocchi's bank account in London by saying to the Crown Prosecutor that there is no case against Quattrocchi<ref name="Farewell Gift To The Nation- In-Law">{{cite web |url= http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?240329 |title=Farewell Gift to the Nation- In-Law |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=27 April | *De-freezing of Quattrocchi's bank account in London by saying to the Crown Prosecutor that there is no case against Quattrocchi<ref name="Farewell Gift To The Nation- In-Law">{{cite web |url= http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?240329 |title=Farewell Gift to the Nation- In-Law |date=28 April 2009 |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref> | ||
*Putting up a very weak case for Quattrocchi's [[extradition]] from Argentina. Subsequently, no appeal against lower court's verdict<ref name="CBI lets">{{cite news |url= http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2417/stories/20070907506608900.htm |title=CBI lets "Q" Off the hook |access-date=27 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211153653/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2417/stories/20070907506608900.htm |archive-date=11 December 2007 }}</ref> | *Putting up a very weak case for Quattrocchi's [[extradition]] from Argentina. Subsequently, no appeal against lower court's verdict<ref name="CBI lets">{{cite news |url= http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2417/stories/20070907506608900.htm |title=CBI lets "Q" Off the hook |access-date=27 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211153653/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2417/stories/20070907506608900.htm |archive-date=11 December 2007 }}</ref> | ||
*The withdrawal of the [[Interpol]] Red Corner notice<ref name="Bofors case: Court to hold fresh proceedings in Quattrocchi's case">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28281958_1_case-against-italian-businessman-ottavio-quattrocchi-red-corner-notice-list | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102154031/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28281958_1_case-against-italian-businessman-ottavio-quattrocchi-red-corner-notice-list | url-status=dead | archive-date=2 November 2013 | title=Bofors case: Court to hold fresh proceedings in Quattrocchi's case | date=28 August 2010 | work=[[The Times of India]] | access-date=27 April 2012 }}</ref> | *The withdrawal of the [[Interpol]] Red Corner notice<ref name="Bofors case: Court to hold fresh proceedings in Quattrocchi's case">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28281958_1_case-against-italian-businessman-ottavio-quattrocchi-red-corner-notice-list | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102154031/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-28/india/28281958_1_case-against-italian-businessman-ottavio-quattrocchi-red-corner-notice-list | url-status=dead | archive-date=2 November 2013 | title=Bofors case: Court to hold fresh proceedings in Quattrocchi's case | date=28 August 2010 | work=[[The Times of India]] | access-date=27 April 2012 }}</ref> | ||
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{{Indian National Congress}} | {{Indian National Congress}} | ||
{{Scams and confidence tricks}} | |||
{{Alleged scams in India}} | |||
{{Corporate scandals}} | |||
{{Corruption in India}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bofors Scandal}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Bofors Scandal}} | ||