The CBI on Thursday filed its second chargesheet in the sensational navy war room leak case against city-based businessman Abhishek Verma for allegedly conspiring to obtain documents that compromised the country's sovereignty and integrity.
Verma, the son of former Congress members of Parliament Srikanth and Veena Verma, was arrested by the CBI on July 21.
He was chargesheeted by the agency under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and Sections 3 (penalties for spying) and 9 (abetment and incitement) of the Official Secrets Act.
In its 28-page chargesheet submitted to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Seema Maini, the CBI alleged Verma was handling the Indian affairs of Altas Group of Industries and had received remittances to the tune of Rs 6.5 crore, ostensibly for paying bribes to defence personnel for obtaining information of various purchases to be made by the military.
The Atlas Group of Companies filed bids for communication equipment required by the armed forces but none of the contracts had been finalised so far, CBI sources said.
The court fixed October 26 as the date for taking cognisance of the chargesheet against Verma, who has denied any involvement in the war room leak.
The CBI alleged Verma had conspired and obtained and collected documents and information, "which is calculated to be, might be or is intended to be, directly or indirectly, affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India".
The charegsheet was filed two days before the expiry of 90 days from the date of Verma's arrest after which he would be entitled to seek bail. Verma is currently in judicial custody.
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