New Delhi: The Europe-based Hinduja brothers on September 30 asserted before a Delhi court that there was no evidence to suggest that they had conspired with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Defence Secretary S K Bhatnagar to help Bofors clinch the 155mm gun deal.

"This trial can proceed only when CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) proves that the dead persons (former Premier Rajiv Gandhi, former Defence Secretary S K Bhatnagar and W N Chadha) did something wrong and the Hindujas conspired with them," Hindujas' counsel Ram Jethmalani told Special Judge Prem Kumar during arguments on the point of charge.

He said, "I am sorry to say that there is nothing so far to suggest that the Hindujas conspired with the dead accused persons."

Regarding the contract having been awarded to the Swedish arms manufacturer in haste, Jethmalani said, "There was no haste. In fact the matter was pending for the last three years and a decision had to be taken."

He termed as mere "insinuation" CBI's allegation that the then Army Chief General K Sunderji abruptly changed the opinion at the last moment in favour of Bofors.

"There was complete chaos in the Army at that time. Every Army officer had his own view on the 155mm gun system. Some said Bofors was better while some others said Sofma of France was better," Jethmalani said.

When General Sunderji took over as Army Chief, he asked three of his top officers to give their opinion and going by their opinion, he "opted for Bofors", Jethmalani said.

PTI