CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION vs SH ABHISHEK VERMA & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on 13th August, 2025 Pronounced on: 28th October, 2025 + CRL.M.C. 4711/2023 & CRL.M.A. 28694-28695/2023 CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Rajesh Kumar, SPP for CBI. versus SH ABHISHEK VERMA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Maninder Singh, Senior Advocate with Mr. Dinhar Takiar, Ms. Sanjana Nair, Ms. Anurupita Kaur, Mr. Mudit Maruah and Mr. Karan Tomar, Advocates for R-1 and 2. Mr. Sarim Naved and Mr. Zeeshan Ahmad, Advocates for R-3. Mr. Harshvardhan Jha and Mr. Aman Pathak, Advocates for the Intervenor- C. Edmonds Allen. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA JUDGMENT SANJEEV NARULA, J. 1. The present petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 19731 (pari materia Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 20232) assails the order dated 6th April, 2023 passed by the Special Judge, (PC Act) CBI-01, Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi in CBI Case No. RCAC-1/2012/A0012. By the impugned order, the Trial 1 “Cr.P.C.” Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:ANITA BAITAL CRL.M.C. 4711/2023 Page 1 of 12 Signing Date:28.10.2025 18:59:21 Court dismissed application filed by CBI seeking leave to examine Mr. C. Edmonds Allen as a prosecution witness through video-conferencing in connection with the said case. 2. The CBI Case was registered on 28th August, 2012 under Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, 19233 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 18604, pursuant to a complaint from the Ministry of Defence. This was triggered by Mr. C. Edmonds Allen’s letter dated 6 th June, 2012 sent to then Defence Minister, containing information and enclosing documents relating to Indian defence matters. The documents were referred to the Ministry of Defence, which opined