CBI likely to quiz MHA official

CBI is likely to quiz a Joint Secretary level officer in connection with his alleged meeting with the wife of arms dealer Abhishek Verma in his office.
Agency sources said the officer is likely to appear before investigators next week, they said.
CBI sources said the agency has registered a preliminary enquiry to look into alleged violation of Official Secrets Act after documents dispatched by estranged business associate of Verma, C Edmond Allen, were termed genuine and confidential by the Defence Ministry.
The sources said Allen had claimed that these documents were shared by Verma with a small arms manufacturer based in the US to show his clout in the power circles.

They claimed the material sent by Allen, who is involved in litigation with Verma in India and the US, carried some photographs and videos shot during meetings of his wife Anca Neacsu with the official in his office.
The sources said Anca was allegedly lobbying for a small arms manufacturer who was trying to bag the contract replacing widely used INSAS assault rifles.

In a bid to show her influence in government circles and reach to senior officials, she had shot some videos of these meetings which were sent to the manufacturer.
This was brought to notice by Allen who dispatched the videos, email conversations and other material to the CBI for carrying out a probe.

The agency cross checked with the Defence Ministry which opined that the material was confidential and its possession violated the Official Secrets Act.
Both Verma and Anca are in Tihar prison under judicial custody. CBI has booked them for alleged violation of OSA and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act in at least five cases.