With the CBI registering a fresh preliminary enquiry (PE) against notorious arms dealer Abhishek Verma for alleged violation of Official Secrets Act (OSA), the agency is all set to question a Joint Secretary of the Union Home Ministry.
Verma’s Romanian wife Anca Neacsu had allegedly held a number of meetings with the officer in his office while lobbying for purchase of weapons from Sig Sauer for the Defence Ministry and paramilitary forces. Sig Sauer is an American firm that manufactures a range of high-end firearms. Without divulging his name, the sources said the officer is likely to appear before investigators next week.
CBI sources said the agency has registered a PE to look into alleged violation of OSA after documents dispatched by Verma’s estranged business partner C Edmond Allen, were termed genuine and confidential by the Defence Ministry.
Allen had claimed that these documents were shared by Verma with Sig Sauer to show his clout in power corridors of the North Block. 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 Union Home Ministry official in his office, the sources said.
Anca Neacsu was allegedly lobbying for the US arms manufacturer that was trying to bag the contract for replacement of widely used INSAS assault rifles.In a bid to show her clout in the Government circles and reach in the higher bureaucracy, 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, e-mail conversations and other material to the CBI for conducting a probe.The agency cross checked with the Defence Ministry which opined that the material was confidential and its possession and circulation violated the OSA.
Both Verma and Anca Neacsu are in judicial custody in Tihar jail in connection with three other cases against them. The CBI has booked them for alleged violation of OSA and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.