Quattrochi denies ties with Bhardwaj or son

While agreeing that he was a close friend of the Gandhi family and that he did not want that friendship to be dragged into the Bofors affair, Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi denied reports that he had been in touch with Law Minister HR Bhardwaj, who is at the centre of a controversy following the Indian government's communication to the British authorities leading to defreezing of his bank accounts in London.

Quattrocchi also maintained that Bhardwaj's lawyer son had not advised him in his extradition case in Malaysia.

"This is not correct, not at all correct," he told a TV channel on phone from Milan. Asked about his proximity to the Gandhi family, he said "I am proud to be a friend of the Gandhi family. But, please leave the friendship alone."

Quoting a judge, Quattrocchi said that after 20 years of probe into the Bofors scandal, "no proof, not even an iota" had been established to link him with it. Asked if he would cooperate with the CBI if he was questioned in Milan, he said that through his lawyer in New Delhi and through press releases he had always offered his collaboration with the CBI, "but, I was never officially invited" by the investigative agency to answer any questions. "Anyway, I may consider it," he said.

Meanwhile, as sources in the CBI said the money in the two accounts in London had already been moved, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the government did not have any "jurisdiction" over other countries.

"have no jurisdiction. ... We can at best make a request to them (the UK authorities)," he told reporters after the NCC parade.

Asked if the government would make any formal request with the UK authorities to ensure that Quattrocchi did not take out the money, he said "views of legal experts will be taken" on the issue.

On the CBI's role in the episode, the defence minister said it was an autonomous body and the government did not interfere with its working.