New Delhi, March 4, 2025: Senior Indian bureaucrats secretly coached Bofors executives on methods to protect then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi from the infamous bribery allegations during covert meetings in 1987, investigative journalist Chitra Subramaniam has claimed in her forthcoming book, "Boforsgate".
The explosive allegations are based on documented evidence from Swedish investigator Sten Lindström, code-named "Sting," who handed over an "agreed-upon summary" detailing a clandestine meeting between high-ranking Bofors officials and prominent Indian bureaucrats. The meetings took place from September 15-17, 1987, five months after Swedish Radio initially exposed the bribery allegations involving the Swedish arms manufacturer.
According to Subramaniam, who played a pivotal role in uncovering the story, Indian bureaucrats conducted a "tutorial" for the Bofors delegation, instructing them on how to strategically conceal corruption, handle investigative pressures, and explicitly shield Rajiv Gandhi from culpability.
Prominent officials involved included Per Ove Morberg and Lars Gohlin from the Bofors side, while the Indian delegation featured powerful bureaucrats like SK Bhatnagar, PK Kartha, Gopi Arora, and NN Vohra, assisted by K Banerji, the then Joint Secretary in India's Defence Ministry.
"Four years into my marriage, I had a baby just as the scandal broke. I raised our son between feeding bottles, Pampers, mashed apples and trunk calls from India. As I juggled my marriage against the biggest story of my career and my country's contemporary history, questions ran amok through my mind," Subramaniam writes.
The book further explores hidden aspects of the scandal, including the roles played by Arun Nehru, alleged attempts to frame Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, dilution of critical requests to Swiss authorities, and the contemporary journalistic coverage of the affair.
"Boforsgate" is set to release on March 17, 2025, published by Juggernaut Books.
The explosive allegations are based on documented evidence from Swedish investigator Sten Lindström, code-named "Sting," who handed over an "agreed-upon summary" detailing a clandestine meeting between high-ranking Bofors officials and prominent Indian bureaucrats. The meetings took place from September 15-17, 1987, five months after Swedish Radio initially exposed the bribery allegations involving the Swedish arms manufacturer.
Inside the Infamous Bofors Bribery Scandal
The Bofors scandal shook the Congress government nearly four decades ago, revolving around allegations of bribes worth ₹64 crore in a ₹1,437 crore deal for supplying 400 155mm field Howitzers to India. These guns later proved crucial during India's victory in the Kargil War. Despite extensive controversies, the case was officially closed in 2011.According to Subramaniam, who played a pivotal role in uncovering the story, Indian bureaucrats conducted a "tutorial" for the Bofors delegation, instructing them on how to strategically conceal corruption, handle investigative pressures, and explicitly shield Rajiv Gandhi from culpability.
Secret Meetings and High-Security Precautions
Describing these discussions as taking place under a shadow of "crime and death," Subramaniam reveals that the Bofors team was hosted at an upscale hotel situated in a heavily secured area on New Delhi’s Sardar Patel Marg. Their rooms were strictly off-limits to outsiders, highlighting the secretive nature of the operation.Prominent officials involved included Per Ove Morberg and Lars Gohlin from the Bofors side, while the Indian delegation featured powerful bureaucrats like SK Bhatnagar, PK Kartha, Gopi Arora, and NN Vohra, assisted by K Banerji, the then Joint Secretary in India's Defence Ministry.
Concealing Information from Parliamentary Investigation
Subramaniam's book states that Indian officials specifically advised Bofors executives on how to navigate scrutiny from India's Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), suggesting minimal disclosures while covertly acquiring critical details for internal damage control. This occurred amid India's official stance of enforcing a stringent "no agents" policy, although Bofors sought confidentiality guarantees that the Indian government said it could not entirely promise due to media revelations and public outcry.Personal and Professional Struggles Amidst Investigative Reporting
The book also vividly portrays Subramaniam’s personal journey as she balanced her investigative journalism with motherhood. She recounts handling intensive investigations and phone calls from India while managing familial responsibilities and raising her infant son."Four years into my marriage, I had a baby just as the scandal broke. I raised our son between feeding bottles, Pampers, mashed apples and trunk calls from India. As I juggled my marriage against the biggest story of my career and my country's contemporary history, questions ran amok through my mind," Subramaniam writes.
The book further explores hidden aspects of the scandal, including the roles played by Arun Nehru, alleged attempts to frame Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, dilution of critical requests to Swiss authorities, and the contemporary journalistic coverage of the affair.
"Boforsgate" is set to release on March 17, 2025, published by Juggernaut Books.