India Revives Bofors Investigation: A Glimpse into the Scandal
In a significant development, India has sent a judicial request to the United States, seeking critical information about the infamous Rs 64-crore Bofors case. This move could potentially reignite the investigation surrounding the controversial purchase of 155mm field artillery guns from Sweden during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister in the late 1980s.
The CBI’s Action
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dispatched a letter rogatory to the US justice department, requesting details from Michael Hershman, the head of the US-based private detective firm Fairfax. Hershman had previously claimed that Rajiv Gandhi was “furious” upon discovering a Swiss bank account linked to the alleged kickbacks from Bofors.
Historical Context
The Bofors scandal, initially exposed by Swedish radio, played a pivotal role in Rajiv Gandhi’s defeat in the 1989 elections. Although the Delhi High Court quashed the bribery charge against him in 2004, lingering questions remain about the involvement of Ottavio Quattrocchi and the handling of the investigation by government officials.
Continued Interest
As the CBI seeks to explore this 40-year-old scandal further, there is renewed interest in key figures associated with the case. The scandal’s implications on Indian politics and governance continue to resonate today.
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