The CBI registered a case in the special court against Verma and unkwown 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 OSA, official sources said.
After receiving the complaint, the CBI took legal opinion on the alleged involvement of Verma as documents were not recovered from his possession but were provided by a third person.
However, it was decided to register a case against Verma and unknown officials of Defence Ministry under section three of OSA (passing on sensitive information) and 120-B (Criminal conspiracy).
The CBI will now question senior defence ministry officials and retired defence personnel who are under the agency's scanner for their alleged relations with Verma and other arms supplier lobbyists.
Allen had purportedly provided documents which deal with acquisition and future plans of the defence forces to CBI and other investigating agencies. MORE