Gas regulator V K Sibal fears for his life in Ambani war

Beleaguered director-general (hydrocarbons) V K Sibal seems to be suffocating in his gas chamber - in a clear sign of desperation, he has asked the central government for protection on the fear that ADAG boss Anil Ambani may actually try to bump him off!

"I fear a threat to my life," Sibal wrote to the home and petroleum ministries on a day when ADAG filed an application in Supreme Court alleging a nexus between him and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd that led to Sibal approving the increased capital expenditure in RIL's Krishna-Godavari gas fields.

At the same time, the Central Vigilance Commission has asked the Central Bureau of Investigations to probe the allegations of personal favours received by hydrocarbons regulator Sibal from RIL in exchange for approving RIL's increased capital expenditure for its KG-D6 gas block, off the Andhra Pradesh coast.

Alleging a 'witch-hunt' by ADAG, Sibal wrote, "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."

The supply and pricing of gas from the K-G Basin is at the root of the raging dispute between the two rival brothers. An ADAG spokesman of course dismissed Sibal's threat allegations. "We have already approached Supreme Court on the role played by Sibal in favouring RIL," he said.

The CVC has on at least three previous occasions asked for inquiries into allegations against Sibal, but the ministry of petroleum and natural gas has always been reluctant. Now, on the instructions of the CVC on 1 October, the CBI has begun an inquiry into Sibal's motives.

Sibal, who completes his five-year term in his current post on 31 October, is seeking an extension till he reaches retirement age. ''I think some people are trying to blackmail the situation (sic). Otherwise why would someone level charges now about investment clearances given in 2005,'' he asked.