CBI raids oil regulator charged with reliance nexus

An eight-member team of the CBI conducted a search at petroleum sector regulator VK Sibal’s office on Thursday and Friday, reports HT Correspondent.

An eight-member team of the CBI conducted a search at petroleum sector regulator V. K. Sibal’s office on Thursday and Friday.

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The CBI is probing allegations of a nexus between Sibal and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

The Central Vigilance Commission had sought a probe into allegations that Sibal, director general of hydrocarbons, and his family received favours from RIL for approving a four-fold increase in capital expenditure cost for the company’s gas fields in the Krishna-Godavari basin.

Despite several attempts, Sibal could not be reached.

A CBI official confirmed the probe was on.

The CVC had on October 1 asked the CBI for “a discreet field verification” on charges of RIL purchasing flats in Mumbai for Sibal’s daughter.