Former Hydrocarbons official booked by CBI for hampering investigation

The CBI today registered an FIR against former director general of hydrocarbons VK Sibal for allegedly favouring a private firm in carrying out speculative seismic exploration and searched his premises in Noida.

Agency sources said there were several alleged discrepancies in carrying out works and favouring leading private players and foreign consultants involved in oil and gas field explorations.

There is clear evidence against Sibal, they alleged.

The DGH, under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, is mandated to carry out geophysical survey with any company to upgrade the available data on potential of hydrocarbons in the country, with the purpose of attracting domestic and international firms to explore and develop oil and gas fields.

Sibal was director general of hydrocarbons between 2004 and 2009.

The Central Vigilance Commission had found alleged discrepancies in different works carried out by Sibal and recommended a CBI probe.