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Quattrocchi was very close to Gandhi family: CBI

During arguments on framing of charges in the case, CBI counsel U S Prasad quoted extensively from statements given by the employees of Quattrocchi's firm Snamprogetti, who "confirmed" his proximity to the Gandhi family, adding that many Congress leaders were in regular touch with him.

Quoting statements made by Quattrocchi's drivers, the agency said the businessman and his wife Maria used to visit the Gandhi's residence daily, and the Special Protection Group, guarding the prime minister, never checked their vehicles.

Gandhi's children used to stay at Quattrocchi's New Friends Colony house in Delhi during the prime minister's foreign jaunts, Prasad said, quoting the statements.

The agency also said Maria used to accompany the mother and sister of Sonia Gandhi when they visited India.

Prasad produced logs maintained by the drivers from February 23, 1989, to May 11, 1993, in court in support of their statements. He said Snamprogetti had destroyed the logs prior to 1989.

According to a statement by Snamprogetti's receptionist Manju Ganesh, recorded by the agency, Quattrocchi was in regular touch with several senior Congress leaders, including Captain Satish Sharma, Brahmdutt, Vasant Sathe, Buta Singh, H R Bhardwaj, K Natwar Singh and Naval Kishore Sharma.

Quattrocchi fled to Malaysia in July 1993 and is facing extradition proceedings there.

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