Advocate Ajay Agrawal filed the application after the 12-year-old Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) against the Italian businessman was taken off the “Interpol Notices” section of the agency’s website, as reported by The Indian Express.

“This is a peculiar case wherein the CBI has proved itself to be a tool in the hands of the Government, losing its image of being the premier investigating agency of the country,” Agarwal stated, demanding that if the CBI move could not be stayed, a fresh RCN be issued against Quattrocchi.

Agrawal, who had earlier moved the apex court in January 2006 against de-freezing of Quattrocchi’s London bank account and in March 2007 over the extradition proceedings against him, said the Interpol should be informed immediately so that Quattrocchi could be nabbed and produced before a competent court here in India.

He also accused the CBI of having “showered” favours at different stages on Quattrocchi, who had been declared a proclaimed offender by a special court in the Bofors case.

Referring to various opinions “procured by the CBI” from top law officers since 2004 when the UPA Government assumed power, the advocate said: “The Central Government did not spare the top law officers of the country from being used as its tool to first facilitate the release of money lying in a sealed account at BSIAG Bank at London...”.

In his March 2007 petition, Agarwal had accused the CBI and its director of consistently misleading the court over the extradition proceedings against the businessman.