New Delhi: Five corporate employees accused of procuring Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas documents fraudulently have been sent to three days of police custody. The police informed the court that the documents pertain to national security and may slap the 'Official Secrets Act' on the accused.
Intelligence agencies have been asked by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to strictly probe officers involved in the leak. The PMO decided to take action after an IB Greenpeace report got leaked in 2014.
Sources said that all 12 suspects arrested by Delhi Police, which busted the corporate espionage ring, have claimed that they passed the documents accessed to their seniors.
A former journalist arrested in the case maintains that the documents weren't sensitive in nature and can be accessed by anyone. His links with officials of Public Sector Unit majors also is under the scanner.
The police are planning to ask the Petroleum Ministry to explain the relevance and sensitivity of the documents seized.
Sources said the ring was busted after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval ordered a probe into the frequent leaks of classified matters to the media.
"Documents were stolen and sold. The recipients are being questioned. The investigation will go on. I will file chargesheet," Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government will ensure that none of the guilty is spared.
"No guilty would be spared in the probe of Delhi Police. I cannot rule out any conspiracy in the leakgate. You must compliment our government that something so fishy that has been on for the years has been uncovered," said Rajnath Singh.
"Investigations are on and the law will take its own course. All those found guilty in the espionage ring will be punished regardless of power or influence," Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari said, "The government should've acted earlier against corporate espionage. The government should act against those responsible for this."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal complimented the police for busting the espionage ring. He tweeted, "Compliments Delhi Police for busting espionage racket. During interrogations, police should try to reach top people, who would benefit from leaked information."
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