CBI Reopens Bofors Case, Seeks US Help for New Evidence
The Indian agency has issued a formal request to the US, aiming to gather fresh details from private investigator Michael Hershman about the 1980s bribery scandal.
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sent a judicial request, or Letter Rogatory, to the United States to obtain evidence from Michael Hershman, who has expressed willingness to share new information on the Bofors bribery scandal.
- The Bofors case, which dates back to the 1980s, involves allegations of a ₹64-crore bribe in a ₹1,437-crore deal for 155mm howitzers between India and Swedish firm AB Bofors.
- Michael Hershman, a private investigator, had previously alleged that the Congress government derailed the investigation and has offered to provide details to the CBI.
- The CBI reopened the case in 2018, citing Hershman's claims, after initially closing it in 2011 due to insufficient evidence.
- The Bofors howitzers, despite the controversy, played a key role in India's 1999 Kargil war victory, but the scandal delayed modernization of Indian artillery for decades.
Hindustan Times 
NDTV 
