On the CBI’s decision not to appeal against the February 4, 2004 judgment of the Delhi High Court quashing charges, Bhardwaj said: “The filing of the SLP was time-barred and the decision was taken on merit. Everyone was of the opinion that this was not a fit case for filing an SLP.” When reminded that top CBI officers, including the Director, had been pressing for permission to file the SLP and that the very same decision was used by the Attorney General to justify removal of the RCN, the Minister said, “There is no conflict of interest here. It is very fair.” For the first time, the Minister spoke on the circumstances in which the CBI was asked to withdraw its appeal in Argentina after it lost the first round in the case. “Already, the CBI was asked to pay costs which came to millions. If they lost the appeal, there would have been a huge penalty again. Therefore, the advice given to them was justified,” he said.

It was Additional Government Counsel OP Verma who had given an opinion on the extradition appeal matter and cited high cost as one of several reasons. As reported in The Indian Express, the Law Minister signed his approval and sent it to the Indian Ambassador in Buenos Aires shortly after which Quattrocchi got his impounded passport back — and walked free.