New Delhi: The Europe-based Hinduja brothers on July 17 termed as "ridiculous" Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI's) allegation that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi awarded the Rs 1,437 crore Howitzer Gun deal to Swedish arms manufacturer A B Bofors in March 1986 for illegal gratification.

During arguments on Hindujas' appeals against the November 2002 order of special judge Prem Kumar framing charges against the accused, their counsel Ram Jethmalani told justice J D Kapoor that the deal was finalised as per the wishes of the Army.

"It is completely ridiculous to say that Rajiv Gandhi awarded the contract to Bofors for illegal gratification," Jethmalani submitted on behalf of Hinduja brothers – Srichand, Gopichand and Prakashchand.

He also ridiculed the special judge's suspicion that the 81 million Swedish Kroner (Rs 14 crore) received by the Hindujas from Bofors was meant for Rajiv Gandhi, saying there was nothing on record to support it.

Jethmalani claimed that the money was actually paid to the accused brothers by Bofors under a counter- trade agreement the Swedish company had with them since 1979.

In its supplementary chargesheet filed in October 2000, the CBI accused the Hindujas of receiving illegal commissions from Bofors in violation of terms and conditions of the contract signed by the government with the Swedish arms manufacturer.

PTI