Monday, January 16 2006 17:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amidst reports that the two bank accounts have been de-frozen, the Supreme Court today (Jan 16, 2006) directed the Government and CBI to ensure that Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi did not withdraw from London bank the amounts alleged to have been linked with the Bofors kickback.

Directing that steps should be taken for maintaining status quo on Quattrocchi's accounts, which were frozen in July 2003 on Government's request, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice C K Thakker and Justice R V Raveendran said the authorities should rise to see that amounts should not be withdrawn if already de-frozen.

"Till further order we direct the Centre and CBI to take necessary steps for maintenance of status quo on accounts in question so that the de-freezing of accounts does not take place".

"If the de-freezing of accounts have already taken place, it should not be allowed to be withdrawn," the Bench said and issued notices to the Centre and CBI and posted the matter for further hearing on January 23.

Maintaining that since the averments made in the petition were largely based on the media reports, the Bench directed Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subaramanian to clarify Government's stand on various issues, particularly relating to the question of de-freezing of Quattarocchi's bank accounts and on prosecuting the Italian in Bofors case.

"We would like to know that on the de-freezing of Quattrocchi's bank account, any steps have been taken by the Union of India and CBI," the Bench told ASG.