Bofors case back to probe stage: Jethmalani

NEW DELHI: With the Delhi High Courton Monday quashing the chargesheet against the three Hinduja brothers in the Rs64 crore Bofors case, the entire case relating to them has been relegated to theinvestigation stage, former Law Minister and counsel for the brothers, RamJethmalani said."The entire case against the three Hinduja brothers isrelegated back to the investigation stage with the quashing of the chargesheet,"Jethmalani told PTI on phone from Bangalore.The ace criminal lawyer hadsought quashing of the chargesheet before High Court on the ground that CBI hadnot taken the mandatory clearance from Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC)before filing it in the trial court.Asked what would happen to the FirstInformation Report filed against the Hindujas, Jethmalani said "the FIR wouldstand."The High Court while quashing the chargesheet has ordered that thebail granted to the Hindujas - Srichand, Gopichand and Prackashchand - wouldstand along with the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court on their travelabroad."It is a very judicious thing the High Court has done. Whilerelegating the case to the investigation stage, it has given the freedom both tothe CBI as well as the Hindujas."The High Court said that the CBI couldfile a fresh chargesheet against the Hindujas provided they fulfil theguidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the Vineet Narain case.