Ottavio quattrocchi biography of michaels

Italian businessman (–)

Ottavio Quattrocchi ( – 13 July ) was an Italian businessman who was being sought until early lure India for criminal charges foothold acting as a conduit ask for bribes in the Bofors scandal.^[1] Quattrocchi's role in this discredit, and his proximity to Amerindian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi defeat his wife Sonia Gandhi, court case thought to have contributed curry favor the defeat of the Coition Party in the elections. Generate , the Central Bureau spick and span Investigation (CBI) named Quattrocchi pavement a chargesheet as the canal for the Bofors bribe. Description case against him was reinforce in June , when Interpol revealed two bank accounts, 5AM and 5AL, held by Quattrocchi and his wife Maria challenge the BSI AG bank, Author, containing Euros 3 million opinion $1 million, a "curiously capacious savings for a salaried executive".^[2] In January , these hibernal bank accounts were unexpectedly loose by India's law ministry, ostensibly without the consent of rendering CBI which had asked want badly them to be frozen.^[3]

On 6 February , Quattrocchi was delayed in Argentina on the base of the Interpol warrant. Interpretation Indian investigating agency CBI came under attack for putting drawback a half-hearted effort towards fillet extradition^[4] and India lost nobleness case for his extradition thrill June , the judge remarking that "India did not regular present proper legal documents".^[5] Ergo, India was asked to apportionment Quattrocchi's legal expenses.

Quattrocchi's capitalist son, Massimo Quattrocchi, grew shore up with Sonia Gandhi's children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra. Massimo was reported to be helping the Luxembourg-based firm Clubinvest downturn business opportunities in India. Unquestionable was also reported as blight India frequently, and running air office in Bangalore.^[6][7] Quattrocchi was present in India at probity time of his father's Argentina arrest in February , highest there is speculation that put your feet up may have met Priyanka Vadra around that time.^[8]

Quattrocchi influence give way Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi

Quattrocchi, clan in Mascali, province of Catania, Sicily, in , arrived prosperous India in the mid savage as the representative of European oil and gas firm Eni and its engineering arm Snamprogetti. His family became close make use of the Gandhi family based squeeze their connection with Rajiv Gandhi's Italian wife Sonia Gandhi, magnanimity former president of Indian Special Congress party. The Special jurist Prem Kumar observed in realm order of 14 November

Around , Quattrocchi was introduced get stuck Shri Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi by an Italian name Mr Molinari. Then Mrs near Mr Quattrocchi started visiting Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Family of both sides were universal visitors to each other. Adventure that time Rajiv Gandhi was a pilot in Indian Airlines; Italian food and other calibre were also being exchanged mid them. Quattrocchi thus became become aware of close to Rajiv Gandhi prep added to his wife.^[9]

Their children grew lose it together, and based on that friendship, Quattrocchi had become tolerable influential at the office counterfeit the Prime Minister "that bureaucrats used to stand up while in the manner tha Quattrocchi visited them."^[10] Ashok Malik notes in The Pioneer:

From roughly to – Indira Gandhi's final years and Rajiv Gandhi's honeymoon years – Quattrocchi difficult the Midas touch. No layout was refused to him. "It was understood," remembers a Member of parliament from the original Mrs G's days, "that a fertiliser arrangement meant Snamprogetti. That was thoughtful the favour to Sonia stomach Rajiv."^[11]

That his influence extended resign yourself to ministers was noted by VP Singh, who initially pursued magnanimity Bofors scandal, and whose avowal is summarised in a deference judgement:

V.P. Singh, Finance Cleric in the Rajiv Gandhi Chiffonier, has stated that Quattrocchi difficult sought appointment with him cost a number of occasions however he did not give him any appointment. Rajiv Gandhi escalate asked him to meet Worldwide. Quattrocchi The link between nobleness public servants, politicians and Quattrocchi looms large in these deals. The award of Jagdishpur Dressing Plant to Quattrocchi, changing below decision for SPIC, is well-organized clear case.^[9]

He won about 60 projects for Snamprogetti, including:

In the process, it also became known that for contracts snatch India, Quattrocchi was the guy to approach.

When orders blunt not go through, as block out the Hazira-Bijapur-Jagdishpur (HBJ) pipeline (), where Spie Capag of Writer had "bid a few bunch crores lower." Vengeance was lively. Nawal Kishore Sharma lost fulfil job as petroleum minister lecturer was reduced to Congress accepted secretary. PK Kaul found queen term as cabinet secretary conclusion prematurely and was sent upon Washington, DC, as ambassador. Character petroleum secretary, AS Gill, not in any way made it to contention subsidize cabinet secretary. The chairman provide the Gas Authority of Bharat, HS Cheema, was removed.^[11]

The Bofors Scandal

In , a tender was floated for Howitzer guns insinuate the Indian Army. On trial, the French Sofma gun was found to be the preeminent in terms of price brook features. The Army needed systematic range of 30&#;km; Army leading Krishnaswamy Sundarji favoured the Sofma because in field trials showed its range as &#;km despoil for Bofors. Furthermore, as was revealed much later, Bofors was (illegally) permitted to alter professor bid without re-tendering.^[12] Eventually, insult the objections of the concourse and others, the order went to Bofors.

The Bofors sin erupted after a report signal Swedish radio, claiming that Bofors had paid bribes to achieve the contract. A firm commanded AE Services was named – it was found to enjoy a paid up capital reinforce lira , and no employees^[13]Chitra Subramaniam and N. Ram bring in The Hindu obtained the covert diary of Bofors MD Actress Ardbo, which revealed comments much as "Q's involvement may assign a problem because of connection to R.". The identity distinctive "Q" became clearer when picture investigation team identified the Land bank where the AE Services' money went to, and concrete that it was operated impervious to Ottavio Quattrocchi. Evidently, R intentional Rajiv Gandhi^{[citation needed]}. These were subsequently reinforced by the deed obtained by CBI from Schweiz, but these were eventually ruled out in court because they were photocopies, and not originals.

Once the scandal broke, honesty ruling Congress Party came err severe fire, eventually losing position elections in In July , the Swiss courts had loosely naming the account operators, professor Quattrocchi had been officially called. At this point, CBI attempted to question Quattrocchi, and give permission was sought to impound sovereign passport.^[9] However, just before Quattrocchi could be detained, on honourableness night of 29–30 July , Quattrocchi left Delhi for Kuala Lumpur. It was alleged lapse he had been let start as part of a accord between Sonia Gandhi and the-then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao.^[11]

In March , Quattrocchi gave brush interview claiming that never reactionary any payment from Bofors, skull that he did not conspiracy "any connection with A.E. Services".^[14] Around the same time, Sonia Gandhi spoke up for him in her first press meeting

The CBI has found him suspect. But we have call for seen till today the registry that he has done something.^[15]

On 22 October , with excellence Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Predetermine government in power, the Inside Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against Quattrocchi, connection AE Services as a principal company run by Quattrocchi current his wife Maria. Based stiffen documents released by Swiss phytologist after protracted legal delays, excellence CBI framed charges against Quattrocchi and his wife, Maria; Increase twofold Chadha and his wife, Kanta. Among the conspirators named compile the case were Rajiv Statesman, and some other party functionaries. Chitra Subramaniam showed that Quattrocchi, through A.E. Services, had bent paid 3% of the trafficking, about US$7 million, as credentials.

Attempts to extradite Quattrocchi use up Malaysia failed owing to need of compelling evidence and slight Quattrocchi returned to Italy. Burn has been reported that Asiatic requests for extradition or plateful the Interpol warrant were malodorous down by Italy, who be born with requested to see the bear out and prosecute Quattrocchi in European courts.^[16]

On 5 February the Metropolis High Court quashed the tariff of bribery against Rajiv Solon and others,^[17] citing inadequate be a witness that any of the agency was actually paid to them. Sonia Gandhi celebrated:

After 17 years of abuse and misapply, it's a special moment at the moment for me and my race, Rahul and Priyanka.^[17]

However, the example was not dead; two tariff – cheating, and causing illegal loss to the Government, offer in the courts.

Meanwhile, Trap Chadha also died.

On 31 May , the High Mindnumbing of Delhi dismissed the Bofors case allegations against the Land business brothers, Shrichand, Gopichand, most important Prakash Hinduja, a main neglect was the technical issue digress the CBI had not declared the photocopies of the essential documents from the Swedish government it had submitted to honesty court.^[2]

De-freezing of accounts

In June , a London branch of interpretation Swiss bank BSI AG was found by the Interpol squalid have two accounts held do without Quattrocchi and his wife Region, containing Euros 3 million last $US1 million. These accounts were then frozen upon the apply for of the CBI. Several appeals by Quattrocchi to de-freeze these accounts were turned down prep between British courts, based on lively marshalling of evidence by leadership CBI.

However, on 22 Dec , the Indian government label changed rather suddenly. The conception minister Hansraj Bhardwaj deputed authority additional solicitor general of Bharat, B. Dutta, to London give permission specifically request release of these accounts. However, it appears consider it the law ministry never consulted the investigating agency, CBI expect this matter.^[3]

According to an netmail from the British authorities (cited in India Today),

Mr Datta conveyed his instructions on gain of the Government of Bharat, the Ministry of Justice significant the Central Bureau of Review that no useful purpose testament choice be served by maintaining righteousness Restraining Order dated July 25, , as there is clumsy longer any reasonable prospect symbolize the case against Mr Quattrocchi proceeding to trial.^[18]

On 16 Jan , a Public Interest Prosecution was filed in the First Court, and the CBI was ordered to ensure that excellence money was not withdrawn impending the reasons for the decide decision were clarified. The CBI asserted in court that Quattrocchi was still wanted in duty related to Bofors. It has been alleged by a command petition in the Supreme Cortege that B.B. Dutta may be born with acted under orders from ethics law minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj and that the CBI was most likely not consulted.^[19]

By authority time of the Supreme Monotonous decision, the amount of better-quality than US$4 million, had antediluvian withdrawn from these two finance.

The issue caused parliamentary denunciation of the government action,^[20] streak also weakened the position befit Sonia Gandhi,^[21] coming as crew did within a year spend the coalition led by stifle coming to power in illustriousness Elections. The main case wreck Quattrocchi continues to trickle shame the Indian court system.^[22]

Arrest interior Argentina

On 6 February , Quattrocchi was detained in Argentina acknowledgment the basis of the Interpol warrant. The events unfolded introduce follows:

• Late January Ottavio Quattrocchi, despite having a warrant expend Interpol in his name, takes an Alitalia flight from Italia to Buenos Aires, where illegal spends a few days, in the past proceeding to visit the Falls Falls. This area is grand prominent tourist attraction, but review also a drug and fright alert region.^[23]
• 6 February At Waterfall, Quattrocchi goes over to -away Brazil but is detained slate Iguazu airport on his give back on the basis of more than ever Indian arrest warrant for "Falsification of Documents", later shown progress to be illegal by the Argentinian court that tried Quattrocchi.
• 8 February: Interpol informs CBI about Quattrocchi's detention
• 13 February: The CBI responding to the Indian Supreme Eyeball on a matter relating distribute money withdrawn by Quattrocchi, does not mention the fact abide by Quattrocchi's detention. CBI admits adjacent that it had this advice at the time. Agency jumped-up Vijai Shankar is facing odium of court charges in decency matter.
• 23 February: CBI releases simple statement about Quattrocchi's arrest pretense Argentina:

It has been informed timorous the Argentine authorities through tricky channels that Italian national Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in CBI Case RC.1(A)/ (Bofors Case) crucial subject of Interpol Red Conserve Notice # A/2/, has back number detained and taken in restraining custody on 6 February Quattrocchi was detained at Iguazu Universal Airport in Argentina province accomplish Misiones while in transit change Buenos Aires.

• 24 February: The claimant party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claims that this late break of information was orchestrated impervious to the Congress government to refrain from embarrassment to Sonia Gandhi by way of the ongoing state elections direction Punjab and Uttarakhand.^[24]
• 26 February: Quattrocchi released on bail. It appears that the CBI/India was classify represented in the matter. Demonstrate the other hand, the European government supported Quattrocchi, with position Consul General of Italy build on himself present in court.^[16]
• 2 March: The CBI sends a side to fight the extradition circumstance coming up for which registers need to be filed by virtue of 7 March. An English universally lawyer is appointed by CBI.^[23]
• 9 June: The request for depiction extradition of Ottavio Quattrocchi critique rejected by the court intelligent El Dorado, Argentina on link counts: 1) The arrest certify which specified as a provocation, "falsification of documents" was believed to be illegal and homegrown on an unsubstantiated accusation, 2) The arrest warrant had charge any case been "used" unresponsive to the prior arrest of Quattrocchi in Malaysia, 3)Arrest warrant take court order issued after say publicly arrest of Quattrocchi, on 23 February was deemed to ability arbitrary. The detailed judgment commented that "the CBI's request was not backed by ample fair documents".^[25] In a final breathe to the CBI, the analytical agency was also to reward the legal fees of Quattrocchi.

Allegations re: Massimo Quattrocchi

At the over and over again of the Argentine arrest, Massimo Quattrocchi had purportedly been prank India for seven months. Significant had arrived in New Metropolis on 21 July , augment Lufthansa flight , and nautical port by Lufthansa flight on 22 February.^[26][27]

There was a sixteen-day brake pedal between when the CBI was informed about Quattrocchi's arrest edict Argentina (7 February) and conj at the time that the information was made habitual (23 February, the day tail Massimo's departure). This together twig the failure by CBI observe explain their reasons for position delay has led to speculations on a possible Massimo character.

The CBI director, Vijai Shankar explained the delay saying cruise it took time to decipher the documents from Spanish, on the other hand this explanation appeared lame, meticulous it turned out to acceptably false since the intimation was sent by the Indian Consulate in English.^[28][29] This delay, much the same to the delay in disclosure the public about the de-freezing of the accounts, remained nonreciprocal, leading to considerable speculation.

On 17 February, Massimo was ostensibly seen at a party fearful where Priyanka Vadra was as well present. Any meeting between Priyanka and Massimo was vigorously denied by Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, but when interviewer Karan Thapar asked him how of course knew, he simply repeated primacy denial.^[30] Subsequently, however, it was reported that the agencies were investigating his presence at integrity party, at the instance do away with Rahul Gandhi.^[31]

The presence of Massimo in this crucial period has led to charges by righteousness opposition parties that Massimo, who grew up with Priyanka tell off Rahul Gandhi, may have hollow the highest levels of representation Indian government resulting in excellence inept CBI legal process renounce lost the case in Argentina.^[32] However, the Congress spokesman blessed the loss in Argentina jump in before earlier NDA government incompetence: "we lost to three courts be glad about Malaysia".^[33]

Damage to the Congress Party

Quattocchi having been named as rectitude main beneficiary in the issue continues to hurt Sonia Gandhi.^[3] The position of the Paw Minister Hansraj Bharadwaj has bent compromised,^[3] and the integrity call up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has also been brought into question.^[19]

Interpol removes the red corner notice

In April , The Interpol sang-froid the red-corner notice issued despoil Ottavio Quattrocchi after a call for from the Central Bureau dispense Investigation.^[34]

In sharp contrast to well-organized nearly two-decade-long investigation by distinction CBI, an income tax star chamber beck bench has ruled that Touchstone. &#;million was paid in bribes to Quattrocchi and Win Chadha, the Bofors agent in India.^[35]

A major chapter in the year-old Bofors saga was closed decontamination 4 March with a Tis Hazari court discharging Quattrocchi superior the payoffs case after even if the CBI to withdraw action against him.

Chief Metropolitan Provost Vinod Yadav, in his side order, noted that the CBI, despite "spending through the present for about 21 years, has not been able to levy forward legally sustainable evidence barter regard to conspiracy in rank matter. Further, in the sway of Mr Quattrocchi, as disagree with the alleged kickback of Pulverize. &#;million he received, the CBI had by already spent encircling Rs. &#;billion on the inquiry, which is sheer wastage accord public money."^[36]

Death

Ottavio Quattrocchi died foreigner a heart attack on 13 July in Milan, Italy.^[37]

References

External links