Anil group may sue Sibal over threat claims.

ANIL Ambanirun Reliance Natural Resources Ltd ( RNRL) on Thursday said it would file a defamation case against the director general of hydrocarbons ( DGH) V. K. Sibal for accusing the company of being a threat to his life.

Sibal has in a formal letter to the home ministry and the petroleum ministry sought protection on the ground that he perceives a threat to his life and his family members from the Anil Ambani group.

RNRL has responded by shooting off a letter to the home ministry stating that Sibal's allegations against the Anil Ambani group " are irresponsible, absurd and baseless". The Anil Ambani group has stated in its letter that it will file criminal proceedings against Sibal for defamation and character assassination.

The letter says the company " challenges DGH to bring on record anything to support his wild allegations". The Anil Ambani group has alleged that the " DGH's sole intent is to divert media attention covering his partisan acts towards Mukesh Ambani- run Reliance Industries in exchange for favours". The letter seeks " comprehensive investigation into DGH's approvals for RIL's over Rs 40,000- crore capital expenditure estimate for developing the eastern offshore D6 KG basin field".

Sibal refused to comment on the industrial house's warning, saying he had already informed the government about the witch- hunt launched by the Anil Ambani group.

The DGH had said he feared a threat to his life and his family members from the industrial house.

RNRL spokesperson confirmed writing a letter to the government in relation to Sibal's communication.

The Anil Ambani group had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Tuesday alleging a nexus between Sibal and RIL. RNRL has alleged that Sibal approved the four- fold increase in capital expenditure in the Mukesh- led firm's KG- D6 gas fields in return for favours from the company.

Sibal, however, has denied that he has taken any favour.

In his letter on Tuesday, Sibal said, " Although the matter is under the examination of the concerned agencies, the ADAG has considered it fit to file a petition in the Supreme Court without waiting for the outcome of the investigation being carried out by the CVC." This betrays a lack of trust and confidence in the government machinery and agencies that represent it. H E WAS referring to RNRL's petition in the apex court seeking action against the DGH for alleged nexus between Sibal and RIL. The Central Vigilance Commission ( CVC) has separately asked the CBI to look into the alleged collusion.

Sibal has maintained that these complaints have come up at a time when he is due to get his two- year extension as the director general of hydrocarbons.

According to Sibal, the CVC guidelines clearly state that no cognisance will be taken of any allegations that come up against an official six months before he is selected for a senior post.

The rule has been put in place as there have been several cases in the past when such complaints were lodged against officials merely to harass them and prevent them from getting a post.

Sibal had responded to RNRL's affidavit in the Supreme Court by unleashing an advertisement campaign in newspapers saying he had not favoured RIL and there was no inflation of cost estimates in the KG basin field.

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