New Delhi: In what appeared to be a buck-passing game between the government and the CBI, the Centre on Friday categorically stated that there was no delay on its part in letting the CBI know about Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi's release on bail in Argentina in February.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma, described as "unfortunate and not correct" media reports that his ministry had delayed disclosing the details about the detention of Bofors payoff accused Quattrocchi.
In its affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on Thursday, the CBI had said that it had not received any information of Quattrocchi being released from detention from the Indian embassy in Buenos Aires.
"The reports are unfortunate and not correct," Anand Sharma said. "Our officials have given full cooperation as requested by the CBI. To suggest that the MEA had erred in any manner or not cooperated is unfortunate and it's not correct," he said.
The minister said his ministry has a ''defined and limited role.'' It had extended all facilities and its mission had also extended all assistance in this regard. The officials had also given all assistance.
Sharma, however, asserted that it was not possible for him to comment on the CBI charges as reported by the media.
In its affidavit, the CBI said that it had been kept in dark by the External Affairs Ministry regarding the detention of Quattrocchi.
The CBI says it had written to Interpol on February 8, saying that now that Quattrocchi was in custody, he should be not be released because there was a red-corner notice out against him. Thereafter, the CBI says, it didn't receive any information either from the Interpol or the MEA until February 26.
It was only on February 26 that the Interpol in Buenos Aires formally contacted the CBI, telling it that Quattrocchi had been released on bail on February 23.
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