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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
The Central Bureau of Investigation has said the death of Win Chadha, a key accused in the Rs 640-millon Bofors pay-off scandal, would not affect the case in any way.
Chadha died of cardiac arrest on Wednesday morning in New Delhi.
"The case against Win Chadha would now be abated, but otherwise the trial would continue as before," CBI spokesman S M Khan told rediff.com.
However, experts differ. Senior Advocate R N Mittal said since charges have not been framed against the accused in the case, the court in the changed circumstances may have a fresh look and decide if there is a need to continue with such a "crippled trial."
Senior advocate Gurdial Singh agrees with Mittal. "If two main accused die, it could have an adverse impact on the case as the prosecution will face problems in establishing the chain of conspiracy," he said.
Chadha, who had been under treatment ever since he came to India and surrendered before the CBI in March last year, had moved the trial court for permission to go abroad for treatment. His application was rejected.
Another key accused in the case, former defence secretary S K Bhatnagar, died a few months back. Former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1991, was also named in the CBI chargesheet.
Inputs from PTI
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