Document leak case: CBI arrests retired Wing Commander

CBI has arrested a retired Wing Commander of Indian Air Force for his alleged involvement in leaking confidential documents, which were later provided by estranged associate of arms dealer Abhishek Verma to the agency.

CBI sources said the retired official of IAF was taken into custody late last night in connection with leaking the documents related to the force.

The agency sources said the retired officer is being questioned with regards to his association with Verma and his partners.

They said his role had come to light during the call details analysis and statements of Verma.

Meanwhile, the CBI will file its charge sheet in connection with alleged leak of confidential documents before the special CBI court here.

The sources said that agency might give details of  his role in the charge sheet in the case.

They said the Home Ministry directive giving the go-ahead for filing of charge sheet has been received by the agency, and it may file charge sheet in the case before a special CBI court today.

The CBI had registered a case against Verma and unknown 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 the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

The probe agency decided to register a case against Verma and unknown officials of the 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 documents 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 unmanned aerial vehicles and related system besides infrastructure developed by the IAF.