Timeline of the Quattrocchi factor in Bofors scam

New Delhi: In a move that could revive the Bofors controversy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reportedly withdrawn the Interpol Red Corner Notice against prime accused Ottavio Quattrocchi.

The Q Timeline:

• The closest India came to getting Quattrocchi was in 2007.
• On February 6, 2007: Quattrocchi was detained at Iguazu Airport, Argentina on Interpol red corner notice.
• Two weeks later, the CBI announced Quattrocchi's arrest in Argentina.
• The BJP had then accused the Congress of delaying the release of news, to protect Sonia Gandhi ahead of Punjab, Uttaranchal polls.
• On February 26, 2007, Quattrocchi was released on bail.
• On March 2, 2007, the CBI sent a team to fight the extradition case.
• But on June 9, 2007, Quattrocchi's extradition plea was rejected by court due to lack of evidence.

The Red Corner Notice issued against Quattrocchi over a decade ago has been taken off the Interpol website.

A report in The Indian Express says the Italian businessman no longer figures in the CBI's list of wanted persons too. The CBI is expected to formally inform the court of the same on April 30.