New Delhi: The CBI withdrew from a Delhi court its application on Thursday that had sought permission to further probe the politically sensitive Rs 64-crore Bofors payoff case. The agency told Navin Kumar Kashyap, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate that it wants to withdraw the application filed on February 1, 2018. It had moved the trial court seeking permission for further probe in the matter saying it had come across fresh material and evidence. The agency submitted before the court on Thursday that decision on the further course of action would be taken by it and wanted to withdraw the application for now.

Taking note of CBI's stand, the judge said: "For the reason best known to the CBI, in case they want to withdraw the application, they have the right as they are the applicants." The court had questioned as to why the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) required its permission to further probe the matter on December 4, 2018. The CBI had also filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on February 2, 2018, against the May 31, 2005 verdict of the Delhi high Court discharging all the accused in the case. The apex court had on November 2, 2018, dismissed CBI's appeal in which it had sought condonation of the 13-year delay in filing the appeal against the high court judgment.