Arms case: CBI files forgery case against Abhishek Verma

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday registered a fresh case against arms dealer Abhishek Verma for allegedly writing a letter to the prime minister on a forged letterhead of then Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken seeking easing of business visa norms in 2009.

Acting on Maken's complaint that the letter was forged, the CBI registered a fresh case against Verma under section 469 of the Indian Penal Code which relates to forgery for purpose of harming reputation, agency sources said.

The agency also slapped charges for violation of Information Technology Act and Prevention of Corruption Act in the fresh case, they said.

Verma has moved for bail before a special court here as the CBI has failed to file charge sheet in a case against him for allegedly receiving $530,000 from Rheinmetall Air Defence AG for using his influence to stall blacklisting proceedings initiated by Indian authorities, according to his advocate Vijay Aggarwal.

Verma and his wife, arrested on June 8, are in judicial custody until Wednesday. Estranged business associate of Verma, C Edmond Allen, had sent a tranche of documents to the CBI and defence ministry which included a letter allegedly written on the forged letterhead of Maken.

Verma and Allen, Chairman of Ganton, are entangled in number of litigations against each other in India and the United States.

During the inquiry, the CBI found that the letter without Maken's signature was allegedly used to impress Verma's clients and show his influence in the power corridors, the sources said.

The tranche received by CBI also has a letter from one of its the then superintendents of police, which was also found to be forged, they alleged.