Bofors scam: Smriti Irani demands Cong to clarify its stand

Union Minster Smriti Irani on Wednesday questioned Congress party's silence over the Bofors scandal and asked for their clarification.

Addressing a press conference here, Irani said, "For too long Congress conveniently kept quiet. It's time they answer what is the involvement of Congress leaders then and now in Bofors saga."

She further quoted Michael Hershman and said, "he (Hershman) indicated that there are some Congress leaders who then took money in the scam and don't want to be identified."

Earlier in the day, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asserted that they will probe the "facts and circumstances" of the Rs 64 crore Bofors gun pay-off scandal mentioned by private detective Michael Hershmam in television interview.

Speaking to ANI, CBI Chief Spokesperson A. Dayal said, "CBI has learnt of matter pertaining to Bofors, aired on a TV channel containing Michael Hershman's interview. Facts and circumstances as mentioned in interview (of Michael Hershman) will be looked into as per due process by CBI".

Hershmam alleged that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government had sabotaged his investigation on Bofors gun pay-off scandal, adding that Rajiv Gandhi was "furious" when "our work was uncovered"

Hershman, who is the president of US-based private detective firm Fairfax, alleged that the bribe of the Bofors gun scandal had been parked in the Swiss account.

The Bofors scandal, occurred between India and Sweden during the 1980s and 1990s, initiated allegedly by the Congress party politicians and implicating the former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and several other members of the Indian and Swedish governments.

The Bofors 155 field howitzer deal was mired in controversies after members of both Indian and Swedish governments were allegedly found involved in accepting kickbacks for facilitating the deal between the two countries.