Win Chadha arrives at last to face trial

Win Chadha arrives at last to face trial
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, MARCH 18: Former Bofors agent and an accused in the Rs 64 crore payoff case Win Chadha arrived in the Capital from Dubai Saturday to face trial. Chadha, who has been staying in Dubai since October 1988, will appear before the special court of Additional Sessions Judge Ajit Bharihoke on March 21.

Soon after his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am by Emirates Flight EK 700, the ailing Chadha (76) was taken to Batra Hospital for examination. According to his manager in New Delhi, Sylesh Babu: ``His doctors in Dubai had advised him not to travel. But since he had given an undertaking to the special court, he decided to come to India.''

A doctor from Dubai, Dr Ranawat, has also flown down with Chadha. ``Batra Hospital is continuing with the treatment which he was receiving in Dubai,'' said Babu. The hospital has conducted several tests to ensure his health is okay for his appearance in the court.

According to Babu and the hospital doctors, Chadha is highly diabetic and is suffering from hypertension. ``He has a prostrate problem and has swelling on his legs,'' said the manager.

The chargesheet in the Bofors case was filed on October 22 last year. Summons were issued to Chadha on November 4 and he was to appear on December 14. When Chadha didn't turn up, the court issued non-bailable warrants against him. Following an undertaking from him, the court issued summons for February 3. But Chadha again failed to appear as his visa could not be transferred. Another undertaking was submitted to the court by Chadha and March 21 was fixed as the next date of hearing.

The undertaking was given after the Ministry of External Affairs assured Chadha that the one-year validity passport being issued to him was not a temporary passport or a travel document. Babu told The Indian Express

: ``The MEA letter which we received during the end of January has clarified that it is not a temporary passport. It also states that since he is voluntarily appearing before the court, any action by the immigration authorities or the CBI would be under the directions of the court.''

Chadha was issued a one-year validity passport following the defence appeal that his Indian passport was impounded by the Indian Consulate General in Dubai in 1990. His Beliez passport was later revoked at the instance of the CBI.

For the time being, the defence is planning to move a bail application on Tuesday before the court. On being asked if the authorities had given any assurance on the income tax case against Chadha, Babu said: ``As per the letter submitted to the Swiss authorities, the papers from the bank are to be used only for a criminal case and no economic offence case.''