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The Bofors scandal, a significant political controversy from the 1980s, has resurfaced as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) intensifies its efforts to uncover the truth behind the alleged kickbacks in a defense deal. Recently, the CBI issued a judicial request to the United States, aiming to obtain information from private investigator Michael Hershman, who has expressed willingness to share details pertinent to the case.
Background of the Bofors Scandal
In the mid-1980s, the Indian government finalized a ₹1,437-crore contract with Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm field howitzers. Subsequent investigations alleged that a ₹64-crore bribe was paid to Indian politicians and defense officials to secure the deal. This revelation led to a massive political upheaval, significantly impacting the then-ruling Congress government.
Role of Michael Hershman
Michael Hershman, head of the Fairfax Group, is a private investigator who was reportedly engaged by the Indian Finance Ministry in 1986 to probe violations of currency control laws and money laundering activities. Some of these investigations were linked to the Bofors deal. In 2017, Hershman alleged that the investigation into the Bofors scam was derailed by the Congress government and expressed his readiness to share his findings with the CBI.
CBI's Judicial Request to the U.S.
In February 2025, the CBI sent a Letter Rogatory (LR) to the U.S. Department of Justice, seeking assistance in obtaining information from Hershman regarding the Bofors scandal. This move came after multiple attempts in 2023 and 2024 to gather information through official channels yielded no response. A Letter Rogatory is a formal request from a court to a foreign court for assistance in investigating or prosecuting a criminal matter.
Current Status and Implications
The CBI's renewed efforts to gather information from Hershman could potentially unearth new evidence in the decades-old case. If substantial information is obtained, it may lead to a reopening of the investigation and possible legal actions against individuals implicated in the scandal. The move has garnered attention from various political entities, given the historical significance of the case.
