BJP says PM must apologise

Jan 05, 2011 - Age Correspondent |

New Delhi

The main Opposition BJP on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should apologise for defending Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrochi in the Bofors kickback case, saying that findings of the ITAT were contrary.

However, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said the government is examining the decision of the ITAT and will decide the future course of action later. “As the law ministry has pointed (out), we are examining the (Bofors) papers. After that it will be seen,” the minister said. In its ruling, the ITAT had said that kickbacks of `61 crores were paid to late Win Chaddha and Quattrocchi in the Howitzer gun deal and they are liable to pay tax in India on such income.
BJP chief spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said, “His comment exonerating Quattrochi having been found to be false by a competent tribunal.”

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