The Hindu : National : ``Probe Bofors case spending''

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Friday, Jul 08, 2005

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National

``Probe Bofors case spending''

Legal Correspondent

Rs. 250-crore loss to the nation

NEW DELHI: A former member of Parliament has moved the Supreme Court seeking a high-level probe and fixing of responsibility for spending Rs. 250 crores on investigations and trial in the Bofors case, while the alleged loss to the exchequer in the gun deal was only Rs. 64 cores.

Petitioner Ram Nihor Rakesh said the Bofors issue had rocked the nation for near two decades. Claims and counter-claims by politicians, bureaucrats and the Central Bureau of Investigation resulted in the Rs. 250-crore loss towards the investigation and proceedings in various courts.

At the end of the day, nothing came out. Precious time of the courts was wasted as the CBI failed to prove the charges against anyone.

`Blown out of proportion"

The petitioner, without challenging the Delhi High Court order quashing charges against the Hinduja brothers, said the allegations in the case were blown out of proportion. Governments were toppled and governments were formed by politicising the Bofors issue.

Mr. Rakesh said the accused suffered emotionally and some of them died with a stigma.

The careers of both politicians and bureaucrats were ruined.

The CBI continued to dance to the tune of those in power. In the larger public interest, the court should order a probe to find out whether the Bofors case was the result of an international conspiracy; who were the main characters and perpetrators of the conspiracy, if any, and what was their intention; whether it was accentuated with political motive; whether the CBI was working under political pressure and who should account for the loss of Rs. 250 crores to the nation.

The petitioner also sought a direction to the Election Commission to keep vigil against perpetuation of issues such as the Bofors gun deal for deriving advantage in general elections.

It should de-recognise parties misusing the Bofors issue for political purposes.

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