CBI seeks MHA sanction to file OSA charge sheet against Verma

CBI Director A P Singh said here today that charge sheet in the case would be filed after clearance is received from the Home Ministry which is mandatory in cases relating to the Official Secrets Act.

Singh said a request has already been sent to the Ministry and after getting a response, the agency would proceed to file the charge sheet.

The CBI had registered a case against Verma and unkwown government officials after a formal complaint was received from the defence ministry stating that documents purportedly provided by US-based attorney C Edmond Allen, Verma's business associate, were classified and violated OSA.

It was decided to register a case against Verma and unknown officials of defence ministry under section three of OSA (passing on sensitive information) and 120-B (Criminal conspiracy).

Allen had purportedly provided documents which deal with acquisition and future plans of the defence forces to CBI and other investigating agencies.

The sources claimed that Allen had alleged that these were provided by Verma to show his influence in defence circles.

The documents include acquisition plans for next five years for the Indian Air Force and some of them relate to acquisition of UAVs and related system besides infrastructure developed by the IAF.