Hours after Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced that it would look into the "facts and circumstances" of the Bofors scam mentioned by private detective Michael Hershman, who alleged that the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government sabotaged his investigation, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded answers from the Congress.
File image of Union minister Smriti Irani. PTI
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani quoted Hershman's media interviews. Irani said the Congress has been conveniently keeping quiet on the Bofors scam and it was time they answered for the alleged involvement of Congress leaders.
Hershman, who is the president of the US-based private detective firm Fairfax, claimed in television interviews recently that Rajiv Gandhi was "furious" when he (Hershman) found a Swiss bank account "Mont Blanc" and also alleged that the bribe money of the Bofors gun scandal was parked in that Swiss account.
Quoting Hershman's television interview, Irani said that Hershman referred that case to CBI to get access to the account, however, no immediate steps were taken. She further added that Hershman pointed out that since former finance minister VP Singh asked him to continue with the investigation, Rajiv Gandhi transferred Singh from finance ministry to defence ministry thereby impeding the investigation.
She further added that Hershman claimed that he was offered bribes several times and also received death threats. Irani posed several questions to Congress and said that citizens want to know the reality behind both the Bofors scam and the people involved in the scam.
Hershman was quoted as telling television channels that Rajiv Gandhi got very upset when "our work was uncovered". Rajiv then established a Supreme Court commission to look into the circumstances surrounding then finance minister VP Singh's hiring of Fairfax.
In his interviews, Hershman expressed his willingness to testify and help Indian agencies on the Rs 64 crore Bofors gun payoff scandal but stated that the effort had to be a credible one.
CBI information officer and spokesperson Abhishek Dayal issued a statement: "The agency has learnt of the matter pertaining to the Bofors aired on certain TV channels containing an interview of Michael Hershman. Facts and circumstances as mentioned in the interview will be looked into as per due process."
With inputs from PTI
Published Date: Oct 18, 2017 06:32 pm | Updated Date: Oct 18, 2017 06:34 pm
