The
Delhi Police crime branch on Thursday said it had unearthed a corporate
espionage racket following the arrest of five persons who allegedly leaked
confidential documents from the Union ministry of petroleum.
The Delhi Police also raided the local office of Reliance
Industries Limited (RIL). Sources said an employee at RIL’s Delhi office was
being questioned in connection with the case.
RIL has been locked in a dispute with the oil ministry
after it was made to give up a portion of the gas fields in the Krishna-Godavari
basin, and the two sides are scheduled to begin an arbitration process.
Addressing the media on Thursday evening, Delhi police
commissioner BS Bassi said: “On Tuesday night, police received information that
some persons had sneaked into Shastri Bhawan (at about 11pm). Our team laid a
trap outside and waited. After about two hours, when they came out and met
their third associate, we nabbed them. Their interrogation later led to the
arrest of two others.”
Though the police refused to disclose the nature of the leaked
documents, source said the papers pertained to pricing and other policy matters
relating to the petroleum ministry. (the hindustan times)