War room leak: Accused moves HC for bail

Delhi HC issued notices to CBI on a bail petition moved by dismissed naval officer Vinod Kumar Jha.

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notices to the CBI on a bail petition moved by dismissed naval officer Vinod Kumar Jha, who was recently arrested for allegedly leaking war-room secrets.

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Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel Sandeep Sethi submitted that the arrest of Jha and his dismissal from service were arbitrary and illegal.

He claimed that Jha as director of the computer wing of the Naval Headquarters cannot be held accountable for the alleged leak said to be the handiwork of someone else.

Sethi argued that since thousands of e-mail messages are sent and received by the Headquarters, Jha cannot be expected to keep a tab on every outgoing and incoming message.

Justice RC Jain, who initially enquired why the official did not approach the sessions court for a bail, posted the matter for hearing to May 18.

Jha, who was summarily dismissed from service for allegedly leaking certain classified documents, was recently arested by the CBI in connection with the case.