SC dismisses plea challenging Delhi HC relief to Hinduja brothers in Bofors case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s 2005 decision that had quashed criminal proceedings against the Hinduja brothers in the Bofors payoff case, effectively bringing an end to the long-pending appeal filed by advocate Ajay K Agrawal.A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and Vinod K Chandran refused to adjourn the matter and declined to entertain further submissions during the hearing.The petitioner, appearing virtually, sought four weeks’ time to delete the names of respondents who had died. “I’m seeking four weeks’ time for deletion of the names, as respondent nos. 1 and 4 have expired,” the advocate told the court.Justice Pardiwala questioned the continued pendency of the matter and remarked, “What is all this about the Hinduja brothers and the CBI?”When informed that the Delhi High Court had exonerated the accused and quashed the proceedings, Justice Pardiwala said, “All proceedings were quashed.