Accusing V K Sibal of having a ‘nexus’ with private parties when he headed the upstream oil regulator, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has decided to seek government permission to probe his actions.
The agency, which was asked by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to do a ‘discreet’ ground verification of allegations of Sibal's nexus with private oil and gas operators, in its preliminary report, alleged ‘gross abuse and misuse of public office by Sibal,’ highly-placed sources said.
“The CBI is yet to formally approach the government for permission for a thorough probe,” Petroleum Secretary R S Pandey told reporters. Sources, however, said CBI would be moving government for permission shortly.
The preliminary report also talked of his ‘nexus with private parties’ and his ‘obtaining pecuniary advantage in award of contracts and supply of information of sensitive data of resources.’
Neither the CVC nor the CBI has said anything on the allegations of his seeking favours from RIL in lieu of approving higher capital expenditure at the Mukesh Ambani-led company’s KG basin gas field.