Country tired of Bofors case: Bhardwaj

Justifying government's decision to withdraw the Red Corner Notice against Ottavio Quattrocchi, law minister HR Bhardwaj says Bofors case is old and all the characters have died. Bhardwaj also says there is no warrant against the Italian businessman.
Bofors case is back in the news?
This is a 20-year-old case. Governments have come and gone. VP Singh got the case registered.Then Narasimha Rao came, Atal Bihari Vajpayee came. But nothing happened. The primary case is of corruption by a public servant. From Rajiv Gandhi to former defence secretary SK Bhatnagar were targeted. As additional solicitor general during VP Singh's time Arun Jaitley went to Switzerland. It took so much time to find anything against Rajiv Gandhi or Bhatnagar. Then the prosecution could not bring Quattrocchi. It is an old case in which all characters have died. It should come to an end. Even Vajpayee wanted to end the matter but Advani never wanted it.
Is removal of Red Corner Notice linked to few days left for this government?
We are coming back to power. (Laughs). Let's see the evidence in the case. In 2002, Malaysian court said Quattrocchi has committed no offence. A huge expenditure was made by CBI in that case. BJP should have known there is no case. When they were in power Hindujas challenged all the charges against them. Delhi High Court quashed all charges of corruption. It is a final order now. After quashing they said only charge under section 420 is left.
Still how is the removal of Red Corner justified?
Tell me how a case against section 420 is made out against Quattrocchi. He did not negotiate the deal. It was government of India officials and middlemen like Win Chadha. BJP is groping in the dark. Government of India does not even any original papers.
But why withdraw the Notice?
Red Corner Notice is on a wrong assumption. In Argentina, he was released because CBI did not have warrant. Quattrocchi filed a case against government of India and CBI. He said at the age of 70 I am being harassed. Then CBI referred the matter to attorney general. A-G said there was no warrant and Red Corner Notice should be removed forthwith. Now CBI has to inform the court.
You still justify the timing?
You talk of timing because BJP has politicised it. Date for court hearing is not fixed by me. It is coming up coming up in court tomorrow (Thursday). BJP is attacking the A-G and government. A-G will speak the truth.
You think the Notice should have been withdrawn earlier.
After losing in Malayasia, CBI should have informed the Interpol court. Even after Delhi High Court order they should have informed there is no case of corruption. See the 1997 warrant against Quattrocchi was executed in Malayasia during BJP's rule in Delhi. Again Delhi HC order came during their time. Government lawyer then said there is no case of corruption and no evidence to connect accused persons. Mukul Rohtagi argued it. They could not even produce an original document. It is an old story. It is our grievance that BJP is making insinuation and is trying to embarrass us.
It is said you are close to Sonia Gandhi and therefore did this?
Petty people think petty. I am not CBI director. If I had my say I would have finished it after my leader Rajiv Gandhi died. HC judgment during BJP's time said the same thing. It was nobody's case.
Are you close to her?
Entire Congress is close to the family. I am also loyal to the family.
What role did you play?
Everything is attributed to me. My legal opinion is what the law is. I cannot give legal opinion to suit people.
Will it have an impact on the election?
Nobody is bothered. Country is tired of Bofors.