RIL rejects TV reports on YSR chopper crash

Reliance plans to file a criminal complaint against TV5 channel alleging the channel's attempt to tarnish its reputation.

Yesterday, a number of Reliance Retail outlets in Andhra Pradesh came under simultaneous mob attack after a news report on some Telugu channels alleged the role of Ambani brothers in the sudden death of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a chopper crash last year.

Reliance Industries (RIL) today rejected as "false" and "malicious" news report on some Telugu TV channels alleging it may have had a hand in the helicopter crash that killed former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

"We are shocked and outraged at the false, malicious, motivated and libellous news on TV-5 channel concerning the fatal mishap of Reddy's helicopter. We condemn, rebut and reject the allegation with the contempt it deserves," an RIL statement said.

Alleging that it was the "dirty handiwork of our business rivals in cohoots with TV-5," it said, "This is also evident from the well coordinated attacks on RIL's personnel and establishments in Andhra Pradesh within minutes of the telecast by TV-5.

"The channel has thrown all journalistic norms to the winds to malign the reputation of RIL which has made significant investments in Andhra Pradesh to promote the development of the state and the nation," it said.

The statement also said that RIL will file a criminal complaint against the channel and demanded that the central and state governments should initiate an immediate investigation into these "despicable" acts and bring the culprits to justice.

Irate Congress workers had last night gone on a rampage across Andhra Pradesh and damaged several retail outlets of the corporate house.

TV-5 first came out with the report basing its story on an unsubstantiated news report published by a little known website. Following this, a couple of other Telugu news channels also started airing the same news.