The Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI, has reiterated its stand to close the case against the Italian businessman Qttavio Quattrocchi in Bofors gun deal in the public interest.

Notwithstanding the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal’s order that stated 41.2 crore rupees was paid as kickbacks to the late Win Chadha and Quattrocchi, the CBI on Tuesday pleaded before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in New Delhi that 23 years had passed from the date of the alleged offence and more than 10 years elapsed after the registration of the case besides many of the accused had died. Among other things, it also pleaded that the attempts to secure the presence of Quattrocchi had failed.

The court, which was to pass its order on the politically sensitive case, started hearing arguments again after Supreme Court lawyer Ajay Agarwal submitted that the matter be looked into afresh in the light of the IT Tribunal’s order. Hearing will continue on Thursday.