New Delhi: A CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) court on June 9 issued notice to former External Affairs Minister Madhav Singh Solanki on an application by the investigating agency, alleging that he had attempted to "scuttle" the probe into the Bofors payoff case.

Perusing an application filed by CBI, special judge Prem Kumar issued notice to Solanki for July 29.

Solanki, according to CBI, during a visit to Switzerland in 1992, gave a memorandum to Swiss authorities dealing with the execution of Letters Rogatory issued by a Delhi court, seeking assistance into the Bofors probe.

The memorandum was handed over to Swiss Foreign Minister Rene Felber in a hotel, the agency alleged, claiming the meeting was arranged at Solanki's request.

The former External Affairs Minister had even requested Felber that there should be no witnesses to the meeting, the application said.

The memorandum was fabricated and contained certain false statements and facts, which intended Swiss judicial authorities to form an erroneous opinion touching on the legality and propriety of the Letters Rogatory, the agency alleged.

Solanki intentionally furnished this information with the purpose of scuttling the investigation being conducted by the Swiss authorities as per the Letters Rogatory issued by the Court, CBI alleged and requested the court to pass appropriate orders to initiate proceedings against him.

PTI