Rajiv Gandhi: Name linked with Bofors scandal

The CBI has named the Hinduja brothers among those who accepted the bribe.

In a charge sheet filed before a Delhi court, the agency accused London-based Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand Hinduja of cheating and corruption.

The agency alleged that the Hinduja brothers were paid more than $8m at present rates by Bofors for their contribution in clinching the deal.

Indian law bans commissions in defence deals.

Confidential documents

The CBI claimed its charges were based on confidential bank documents that a Swiss federal court released to India.

These documents are supposed to be related to accounts in which the Hinduja brothers allegedly deposited the kickback money.

But they have said that funds they received from AB Bofors had nothing to do with the company winning a contract to supply weapons to the Indian army.

The court will begin hearing arguments on 20 November.

These will mainly centre around whether there is enough evidence to try the Hindujas and others charged earlier.

Among those previously linked to the scandal was the late former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi - whose widow Sonia Gandhi heads India's main opposition Congress party.