New Delhi, Feb 19 (PTI): Two Oil Ministry officials and three other persons were today arrested for allegedly leaking confidential government documents to certain independent consultants and energy companies in what could be a case of corporate espionage.
Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi said the documents were photocopied and leaked in return for money and the investigators will soon apprehend the recipients of the papers.
The Police Commissioner said the confidential documents were leaked to certain independent consultants and energy companies some of whom are being interrogated.
Terming it as a serious case, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said strong action would be taken against the the employees of his ministry who allegedly leaked the documents to private companies.
"They will be severely dealt with. Police are probing the case. We will take strong action against the guilty. Government will come down hard on them," he said when asked about the case.
Asked whether any corporate lobbyist could be involved, the Petroleum Minister said it was up to the police to investigate.
"The government was conscious. Agencies are investigating. They will come out with full facts," he said.
The Poice Commissioner said one of the persons used to enter the Shastri Bhavan using forged identity cards to gain access to the ministry documents. A number of persons, Bassi said, are being questioned.
"All those who are recipients of stolen property will be questioned and action taken. If the documents fall under the purview of the Official Secrets Act, then the relevant sections will also be imposed," he said.
The Reliance Industries said it has launched a "robust internal probe" into detention of one of its employees by Delhi Police in connection with alleged official document theft in the Oil ministry.
The company said no information of commercial consequence to it resides in the ministry with which it is in arbitration in several cases.
Bassi said following a tip-off, a trap was laid at the Shastri Bhavan, following which the two officials were held.
"They used to enter the ministry using false passses. One of them forged an ID card and also got a fake government sticker pasted on his vehicle," said the police chief.
Police conducted raids at several places including at a prominent building in Connaught Place.
"We are questioning the recipients too. We will catch everyone involved," Bassi said.
Pradhan said no one involved will be spared in the case.
"Government is very strict on such things... very strict action within the purview of the law will be taken against all those involved," he said.
A vigilance was kept after official documents appeared in public domain, he said adding 2-3 persons of his ministry and outside have been arrested by police.
Leakage of official documents was a hindrance in running a free and fair government, he said adding law will take its own course.
"Those behind this... whosoever is behind will be booked. Let police do its own job, everything will come out," he said.
An RIL official said "it has been brought to our notice that one personnel has been detained by law-enforcement authorities. We are unaware of more details. As per SOP, a robust internal probe is underway."