Navy war room leak:Court directs Jail Superintendent to appear

Tihar Jail Superintendent has been directed to appear in a Delhi court to explain why action be not taken against him for not producing arms dealer Abhishek Verma before it in the 2006 Naval War Room leak case in which he and four others, including three former naval officers and an ex-Wing Commander, are facing trial.
Special CBI Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal issued show cause notice to the superintendent of Tihar Jail no. 4 where Verma is presently lodged and asked him to appear in person in the court with his written explanation on May 25.
The court was annoyed over absence of Verma during the hearing as it had earlier issued production warrants seeking presence of the accused.

Despite issuance of production warrant on February 19, the jail authorities failed to produce Verma on April 22 and no intimation was received from the concerned Jail Superintendent for non production of the accused, the court noted.
Verma was not even produced in the court on the last date of hearing on February 19.
"Issue show cause notice against the Superintendent Jail concerned, as to why appropriate action should not be taken against him for not producing accused Abhishek Verma for the last two dates. He is directed to appear in person on the next date of hearing.

"DD entry/ wireless message be also recorded through Lock up Incharge Tis Hazari Court in the office of DG Prisons Tihar to ensure the presence of said Jail Superintendent, Tihar Jail No.4 on the next date of hearing in person with his written explanation," the judge said.

Former Navy officer Kulbhushan Prashar, former naval commander Vijender Rana, sacked naval commander V K Jha, former IAF Wing Commander Sambha Jee L Surve and arms dealer and Delhi-based businessman Abhishek Verma are facing trial in the case for the offence of criminal conspiracy under IPC and under various provisions of Official Secrets Act (OSA).
The case file is presently in Delhi High court as the accused have filed an appeal against the trial court's order framing charges against them. The court was recording the statements of prosecution witnesses in the case.
While Prashar, Surve, Rana and Jha are on bail, Abhishek Verma is lodged in jail under judicial custody.