The CBI has sought sanction from the Government to invoke the Official Secrets Act against arrested Navy officers accused of passing on confidential information about India's submarines to "unauthorised persons" in lieu of bribe.
As the CBI probe in the case has revealed that confidential and sensitive information were leaked by the booked Navy officials, the agency has decided to slap Official Secrets Act against them, an official said.
Last week the agency charged a serving and two retired officers under the Prevention of Corruption Act and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code.
Following a reference from the intelligence agencies, the CBI had registered a FIR against two retired Navy officers for trading confidential information on naval projects in September. The CBI has not made the FIR public. Sources said the FIR mentions that "confidential information on procurement of three hulls" was leaked to outsiders for illegal gratification.
"Information regarding operations/procurement was leaked from various Navy offices" and that the retired officers bribed the serving officers for those details, according to the FIR.