Hinduja clarifies

LONDON, SEPT. 28. The following is a statement issued by Mr. Srichand P. Hinduja, London-based chairman of Hinduja Group of Companies.

A few weeks ago, our lawyers were informed by the Swiss Investigating Judge, that in June 2000, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had sent a letter seeking additional information. The CBI stated that the documents received do not specifically mention that the amounts paid were in respect of the gun contract between the Government of India and Bofors as in the case of other. It sought our interrogation, clarification on the use and final destination of funds and requested for clarifications to enable it to reach a conclusion in its investigations.

On being informed, we cooperated with the judge. We understand that the Swiss authorities have collected and are in process of transmitting the documents clarifying the matters referred by the CBI, which inter alia includes: clarifications that the funds received had no relation to the gun contract as suitably evidenced; statements of GP, PP and myself given to the investigation judge in respect of the clarifications sought by the CBI; details of the ulitisation of the funds by the Hinduja Group and documents on respect thereof. The CBI has already been informed of these facts and of our cooperation in the matter of inquiry.

We believe in view of the fact that as we have given under oath these statements to the judge with reference to the clarifications sought by the CBI, the requirement of CBI seeking our interrogation is now met.

We sincerely believe that further evidence will enable the CBI in reaching the conclusion of our non-involvement in the Bofors case.

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