02-02-2006, 12:15 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Ex-envoy writes to PM on Q</b>
New Delhi, Jan. 26: <b>A former Indian ambassador to Sweden has said he is stunned by the UPA governmentâs approval for defreezing of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchiâs accounts in a London bank and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take appropriate action in the matter</b>.
In a January 12 letter to Dr Singh, Mr B.M. Oza, who served as the Indian envoy to Stockholm between 1984 and 1988 when the Bofors deal was signed, wrote that allowing Mr Quattrocchi to withdraw the Rs 21 crores from his bank accounts was "irregular and illegal."
Mr Quattrocchi, Mr Oza wrote, was a "fugitive from Indian law" as there is an arrest warrant against him. The Italian businessman has not presented himself for prosecution and therefore could not be given a clean chit yet.
"What has been done is irregular and illegal as is evident from the Supreme Court order asking for maintaining status quo and ensuring that Quattrocchi did not withdraw money," the former envoy said. "His (Quattrocchiâs) involvement is unmistakable," Mr Oza said.
The Centre has since replied that the money was withdrawn on January 16.
Along with the letter, Mr Oza appended three pages from his book, Bofors: The Ambassadorâs Evidence, to substantiate Quattrocchiâs involvement in the Bofors deal and his connections with certain politicians in India. The pages 102 to 104 of his book, which was published in 1997, elaborate on the "obvious link" between Quattrocchi and the Bofors deal.
<b>Ottavio Quattrocchi is one of six accused in the Bofors case. Four of the accused â late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Win Chadha, Martin Ardbo and S.K. Bhatnagar â have since passed away. </b>
The Hindujas were tried and acquitted by the Indian courts. A court case is pending against Quattrocchi.
www.asianage.com/main.asp...efaultMain<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
New Delhi, Jan. 26: <b>A former Indian ambassador to Sweden has said he is stunned by the UPA governmentâs approval for defreezing of Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchiâs accounts in a London bank and urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take appropriate action in the matter</b>.
In a January 12 letter to Dr Singh, Mr B.M. Oza, who served as the Indian envoy to Stockholm between 1984 and 1988 when the Bofors deal was signed, wrote that allowing Mr Quattrocchi to withdraw the Rs 21 crores from his bank accounts was "irregular and illegal."
Mr Quattrocchi, Mr Oza wrote, was a "fugitive from Indian law" as there is an arrest warrant against him. The Italian businessman has not presented himself for prosecution and therefore could not be given a clean chit yet.
"What has been done is irregular and illegal as is evident from the Supreme Court order asking for maintaining status quo and ensuring that Quattrocchi did not withdraw money," the former envoy said. "His (Quattrocchiâs) involvement is unmistakable," Mr Oza said.
The Centre has since replied that the money was withdrawn on January 16.
Along with the letter, Mr Oza appended three pages from his book, Bofors: The Ambassadorâs Evidence, to substantiate Quattrocchiâs involvement in the Bofors deal and his connections with certain politicians in India. The pages 102 to 104 of his book, which was published in 1997, elaborate on the "obvious link" between Quattrocchi and the Bofors deal.
<b>Ottavio Quattrocchi is one of six accused in the Bofors case. Four of the accused â late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Win Chadha, Martin Ardbo and S.K. Bhatnagar â have since passed away. </b>
The Hindujas were tried and acquitted by the Indian courts. A court case is pending against Quattrocchi.
www.asianage.com/main.asp...efaultMain<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->