New Delhi:
The Central Bureau of Investigation has sought the permission of the government to re-open the investigation into the Bofors scam. According to sources, the CBI has written to the Department of Personnel and Training seeking consent to reconsider a 2005 decision taken by the then UPA government which did not allow the CBI to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court.
Recently the CBI had told the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament that it was willing to re-investigate the case. The Delhi High Court on March 31 2005 had quashed charges against Hinduja brothers - Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand - and the Bofors company.
The court also criticised the CBI stating that the probe had cost the exchequer Rs 250 crore.
The CBI said that it was willing to challenge this order in the Supreme Court, but in 2005 it was not allowed by the UPA which was in power then. The CBI says that it would move the SC first before taking a stand on the matter. An SLP has been filed in this regard by advocate Ajay Agarwal.
The CBI says that almost all officers who have dealt with this probe were of the view that an SLP should be filed against the quashing of charges by the Delhi High Court.
