NEW DELHI: In an apparent effort to speed up investigations into the kickbacks paid for finalizing the 1.3 billion dollar Swedish Bofors gun deal, the Indian government Tuesday empowered courts and investigating officers in India to issue letters to their counterparts abroad to collect evidence in respect of crimes committed by Indian citizens.
An ordinance issued by the Indian president, amends the code of criminal procedure for the purpose.
An official spokesman told reporters Tuesday the ordinance inserts a new section in the criminal procedure code. It will empower the courts and investigating agencies in India to issue letters of request to courts and investigating authorities in foreign countries to collect evidence, both oral and documentary, available abroad in respect of crimes committed by a citizen of India.
The amendment carried out at the request of the investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation was approved by the federal cabinet Saturday.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 2, 1990
