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This is an archive article published on February 5, 2004
Bofors for generation next
THE CASE: Hard to believe now, but it was a radio report 18 years ago that started it all. Three years after Rajiv Gandhi sweeps to power, r...
February 5, 2004 12:00 AM IST
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2 min read
THE CASE: Hard to believe now, but it was a radio report 18 years ago that started it all. Three years after Rajiv Gandhi sweeps to power, riding a brutal majority and a Mr Clean8217; image, Swedish Radio claims in an April 1987 broadcast that Rs 64 crore were paid as bribe to clinch the Rs 1,437-crore deal to purchase 400 field guns from AB Bofors_one of the biggest contracts to come Sweden8217;s way then.
CBI files FIR in January 1990, asks Swiss government to freeze bank accounts into which the commission were suspected to have landed. Names do the rounds: Hinduja Brothers, Bofors agent Win Chadha and AE Services, a company with links to Ottavio Quattarochi, a friend of Rajiv and Sonia.
NAMED:Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister when the deal was signed dead; S.K. Bhatnagar, Defence Secretary who handled negotiations with Bofors dead; Win Chadha, Bofors agent dead; Quattrocchi; Hinduja brothers.
THE RESULT: Five years after winning with a two-thirds majority, Rajiv loses the 1989 elections to V P Singh, his former defence minister who played the Bofors card.
NOW: HC finds 8220;not an iota of evidence8221; against Rajiv, or any motives in the hasty manner in which the deal was signed in 1986. Hindujas are cleared of corruption but charges of conspiracy and cheating stay. CBI goes to SC.
MEANWHILE, THE GUN: The most powerful and advanced artillery gun in Army8217;s armoury_with shoot and scoot8217; capability, automatic reloading facility and ability to fire multiple ammunitions. It was one of the heroes of the Kargil war.
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