Keywords: Ex–RAW officer, Delhi HC, Official Secrets Act.
The High Court of Delhi on Wednesday, May 31st, dismissed a plea made in the court by an Ex-R&AW officer Major General VK Singh. The plea was made challenging the FIR filed by CBI fifteen years ago.
Major General VK Singh , a former Joint Secretary of India’s external spy agency Research under the provisions of the Officials Secrets Act.. After retiring from the services in June 2002, he started writing a book which got published in June 2007. The book was named ‘India’s External Intelligence- Secrets of R&AW’ and allegedly contained confidential information that were likely to affect the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the country.
Soon after the book came out on public platforms, an FIR was filed by a senior government official with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking legal action against the author under the Official Secrets Act. He then moved to the Delhi High Court challenging the FIR defending himself saying that he only intended to highlight the issues of lack of accountability and corruption in the RA&W and the allegations of revealing secrets were totally baseless and unfounded.
The petition, however, got dismissed by Justice Mukta Gupta on Wednesday. The court released its statement saying, “It would be a matter of trial after the witnesses are examined to see whether the revelations by the petitioner in his book is likely to affect the sovereignty and integrity of India and/or the security of the State. In view of the discussion aforesaid, this Court finds no merit in the petition. Petition and application are dismissed.”
Written By: Disha Hatikakoty., College: Maitreyi College, University of Delhi. First Semester , Intern under Legal Vidhiya.
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