Hot pursuit

CBI: It is an unfair charge to imply that we are dragging our feet. Quattrocchi was detained only thanks to an Interpol red corner notice, which was issued after exhaustive efforts by us.

Q: Yes, but that notice was issued in 1997! Which means that the CBI has failed to bring the man to justice for the last 10 years!

CBI: It shows that we have been hot on the man’s trail for 10 years.

Q: How can you say that Argentina’s action came as a complete surprise?

CBI: You have got it wrong. Argentina’s action came as a complete surprise to Quattrocchi, not us.

Q: Okay, so what have you done since February 9 when Argentina informed India of Quattrocchi’s arrest?

CBI: Well, we have to confirm that the man arrested is in fact Quattrocchi. Hence, on February 10 itself, we sent a registered letter to the external affairs office to contact the

Argentinians …

Q: In heaven’s name, why couldn’t you just send an e-mail to MEA?

CBI: (Stiffly) There are certain standard procedures that must be followed in these matters. We already have confirmation from the head post office that our letter to MEA was delivered to the PA to the deputy under-secretary (Americas), MEA, on February 17. The PA will put it up through proper channel to the first secretary (Americas), who will then contact his counterpart in Argentina to act upon our request for…

Q: But the deadline for making an extradition request expires on March 7.

CBI: …a passport photo of the detained man in triplicate along with copy of his ration card.

Q: Heavens, how could Quattrocchi possibly have a ration card!

CBI: Failure to produce valid ration card would mean he is an alien, perhaps an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. This might well become a case for ministry of infernal…er…internal affairs to handle…

(Interview terminated)