'Threat to life' claims: Anil group may sue Sibal

Slamming claims that it poses a threat to oil and gas sector regulator V K Sibal's life, Anil Ambani group said on Thursday it would file criminal proceedings against the director general of hydrocarbons for 'defamation and character assassination'.

"DGH's allegations against Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group are irresponsible, absurd and baseless," RNRL wrote to home ministry, reacting to Sibal's letter to the government wherein he had sought protection fearing threat to his life and his family members from the industrial house.

Reliance ADA Group challenged Sibal to bring on record anything to support his 'wild allegations,' while adding that it would file criminal proceedings against DGH.

When contacted, Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Natural Resources Limited spokesperson confirmed writing a letter to the government in relation to Sibal's communication.

Sibal's letter to the home and petroleum ministries on Tuesday coincided with ADAG moving Supreme Court alleging a nexus between him and RIL. ADAG has alleged that the nexus influenced Sibal to approve the increased capital expenditure in the Mukesh-led firm's KG-D6 gas fields.

RNRL, in its letter to the home ministry on Thursday, sought comprehensive investigation into DGH approval for RIL's capex of over Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion). It also claimed that the DGH's sole intent was to divert media attention from 'his partisan act towards RIL.'

Alleging a 'witch-hunt' by ADAG, Sibal had written: "ADAG is a corporate giant with unlimited resources. It is clear from the recent actions of this group that they are bent upon damaging my professional and personal life. . . in view of this I will not be surprised if ADAG resorts to violent means to achieve their objective. Therefore, I perceive a threat to my family members and myself."

"ADAG has orchestrated a sustained campaign to malign me by alleging that I and my family members availed favours from Reliance Industries Limited. . .  ADAG has followed the sustained campaign by filing a petition in the Supreme Court," Sibal wrote.

Also, the DGH on Wednesday brought out full-page newspaper advertisements denying any favours to RIL, including approving RIL's inflated capex -- a campaign reminiscent of that from ADAG in August accusing petroleum ministry of siding with RIL.

Incidentally, Central Vigilance Commission had asked CBI to probe the allegations of personal favours received by Sibal from RIL in lieu of approving the company's capex for KG-D6.

Image: Anil Ambani