NEW DELHI, Jan 24 — The CBI today questioned Switzerland-based P P Hinduja in connection with his alleged role in the Rs 64-crore Bofors pay-off case.

“He was interrogated in two session for over three hours today by the Special Investigation Group of the agency,” the CBI spokesperson told reporters here today.

He said the questioning was related to the payments received by the Hinduja brothers from A B Bofors. While the Hindujas maintained having received the money from the Swedish arms manufacturers, they also maintained that the $ 10 million were not related to the Bofors’ gun deal.

The CBI spokesperson said the questioning of the Hinduja brothers would continue till January 30, after which the agency would submit a detailed report to a Delhi court.

The investigating agency had stated that it had completed the interrogation of Hinduja Group chairman S P Hinduja. However, his presence could be needed if the need arose, the CBI added. He was interrogated for four days.

The CBI, in its charge sheet, alleged that the Hinduja brothers had received 81 million Swedish Kroner (SK) ($10 million) from Bofors which bagged the Rs 1437-crore gun contract in 1986.

The CBI charge sheet said the 81 million SK was deposited in three accounts in the Credit Suisse Bank, Hanover Manufacturers Trust and Swiss Bank Corporation of which SK 31.98 million was deposited in Swiss Corporation under the code name, Lotus; SK 37.03 million in Hanover Trust under the code name, Tulip and SK 11.7 million in Credit Suisse under the code name, Mont Blanc. All accounts were held by McIntyre Corporation, which is owned by the Hindujas.

Earlier this week, a Delhi court had granted the CBI one more week to interrogate the Hinduja brothers as their questioning was not complete.

Mr Arvind Nigam, counsel for S P Hinduja, had submitted that if the questioning of any of the Hinduja brothers was complete before January 30, he be permitted to go out of the country.

The Special Judge, Mr Ajit Bharihoke said, “you are free to move an application in this regard anytime.”

Asked about the CBI’s reaction if S P Hinduja moved the court to go abroad, the agency’s spokesperson said, “We would answer this question in the court but if certain issues figure during interrogation of the other brothers, we will have to summon [S P Hinduja] him.”