Priyanka Tiwari
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Bofors Scam: India is seeking vital evidence from the United States in the Bofors case involving the 64 crores that could help reopen an investigation into the alleged scandal of acquiring 155mm field artillery guns from Sweden during the late 1980s by Congress government under Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership.
Bribery money
As reported by 'TOI', the CBI attempted to cross the wire on what appears to be the tip of the iceberg of the Hershman Swiss bank account controversy by sending the US Justice Department a letter pertaining to a court order claiming jurisdiction over the information needed in this case. Michael Hershman is the head of the US private investigator firm Fairfax. It should be noted that in the year 2017, Hershman postulated that the then PM Rajiv Gandhi was fuming mad after discovering the Swiss bank account Mont Blanc which contained the Bofors bribe money. According to him, the previous administration did a number on his investigation through several cover ups.
CBI got in touch with the court
Upon learning that Michael Hershman was willing to provide aid to Indian authorities for the investigation, the CBI in October 2024 approached the Delhi court with a request to allow them to go overseas on their behalf.
Disclosure of Bofors scam fraud
As a side note, the Bofors scam was uncovered by Swedish Radio.
This was the primary cause behind Rajiv Gandhi's loss in the elections of 1989. Even though the former Prime Minister was absolved of the bribery allegations in 2004 by the Delhi High Court, the issue is far from resolved. Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian businessman, was equally found to have an alarming involvement in the scandal. He wielded great power in Rajiv Gandhi's administration. During the probe, Quattrocchi was permitted to exit India and subsequently moved to Malaysia. Quattrocchi came back into the spotlight after the UPA decided not to contest the unfreezing of millions of dollars held in his bank accounts in the UK. In 1987, the Swedish public broadcaster revealed the bribe payments in the Howitzer deal which sent shockwaves through both India and Sweden. The CBI opened an investigation in 1990 and presented a chargesheet in 1999-2000. Following Rajiv Gandhi’s acquittal, the special court dismissed all claims against the remaining suspects. Quattrocchi was also exonerated in 2011.
