India has sent a judicial request to the United States to obtain crucial information from private investigator Michael Hershman, who has previously claimed to have details about the Rs. 64-crore Bofors bribery scandal. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a Letter Rogatory (LR) to the US Justice Department, requesting insights into the alleged kickbacks received during India's 1980s howitzer deal with Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors.

CBI’s Judicial Request and Hershman’s Role

A Letter Rogatory is an official legal request issued by a court from one country to another for assistance in an investigation or criminal prosecution. In this case, the CBI has sought information from Hershman, who leads US-based private detective firm Fairfax. Hershman had earlier claimed to possess vital evidence related to the bribes allegedly paid to Indian politicians and defence officials to secure the Rs. 1,437-crore Bofors deal for 400 howitzers.

Hershman's 2017 Revelation on the Bofors Scandal

In 2017, Hershman had alleged that then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was "furious" when he learned about a Swiss bank account named ‘Mont Blanc,’ which was reportedly used to deposit bribe money. He also claimed that the Indian government at the time had sabotaged his investigation.

The CBI had earlier sent multiple requests to US authorities on:

• November 8, 2023
• December 21, 2023
• May 13, 2024
• August 14, 2024

However, US authorities had not provided the requested information, citing delays and additional processing time. In October 2024, the CBI approached a Delhi court to seek official assistance from the US. The agency decided to move forward with the judicial request after Hershman expressed willingness to cooperate with Indian authorities.

Bofors Case: A Political Turning Point

The Bofors scam is one of India’s most controversial political scandals and played a key role in the defeat of Rajiv Gandhi’s Congress government in the 1989 general elections. The scandal first came to light when a Swedish radio channel alleged in 1987 that bribes were paid by Bofors to secure the multi-crore howitzer deal with India.

CBI’s Investigation Timeline

• 1990: CBI registered the case after bribery allegations surfaced.
• 1999-2000: Chargesheets were filed against several accused individuals.
• 2004: The Delhi High Court cleared Rajiv Gandhi’s name, a verdict delivered 13 years after his assassination in 1991.
• 2005: The High Court quashed all charges against other accused due to lack of evidence.

Despite these rulings, the case has remained a political weapon, often used by opposition parties to target the Congress over allegations of corruption.

Current Developments and Future Course

With the latest judicial request to the US, the CBI hopes to revive its investigation and possibly obtain new evidence that could provide clarity on alleged bribes, Swiss bank transactions, and political involvement. The response from US authorities and Hershman’s cooperation will be critical in determining the next steps in India’s pursuit of justice in the decades-old Bofors case.

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