Quattrocchi walking free a 'serious lapse', says BJP

The BJP today said Bofors case accused Ottavio Quattrocchi walking free out of Argentina was a "serious lapse" on the part of the government and the party would raise the matter "forcefully" in Parliament.

Party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "It was a result of the casual approach of the Congress-led government. The development is not only unfortunate but is also a serious lapse."

The Congress, however, said all legal processes should be invoked and enforced against Quattrocchi. Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the Congress has nothing to say about the detailed judicial process in a foreign country which resulted in Quattrocchi walking free.

"The procedure has gone in great detail over six months and the entire matter is between the agencies of that country, courts and the accused", he said.

Meanwhile, having failed again to get Quattrocchi extradited to India to face trial, the CBI plans to review the case and examine whether it can still be pursued.

CBI Director Vijay Shanker put up a brave face today after Quattrocchi left Argentina for Italy and claimed the matter was under investigation and that the businessman was still an accused.