Defence Ministry lodges complaint with CBI
The Union Defence Ministry lodged a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday alleging violations committed under the Official Secrets Act in connection with leakage of certain defence procurement documents that was brought to light by a US-based attorney and former business partner of businessman Abhishek Verma.
The documents under scrutiny pertain to acquisition and proposed procurements by the three wings of the Armed forces. Copies of the papers were sent earlier this year to the Defence Ministry by C. Edmonds Allen, Mr. Verma’s U.S.-based former business partner, who alleged that the Indian businessman was in possession of these papers.
However, the Defence Ministry complaint has not mentioned Mr. Verma’s name apparently because copies of the confidential documents originated from Mr. Allen, who for now is being considered an informer. The U.S. attorney alleged that Mr. Verma had shared the papers with him to show that he had strong links in the defence forces.
Mr. Allen had in the complaint to the Defence Ministry alleged that Mr. Verma possessed papers pertaining to procurement for surveillance aircrafts, new-generation submarines and plans for acquisition of equipments by the Air Force.
The CBI will go through the complaint to ascertain if a case is to be made out against Mr. Verma under the Official Secrets Act or if it is to be registered against unknown persons to ascertain who was behind the alleged leak.
Accusing his former business associate of operating as a middleman in arms deals and indulging in money laundering, Mr. Allen has lodged complaints with all important government offices in India and furnished a series of documents to back his claims.
