Court considers chargesheet against 13 in documents leak case

A court on Monday took cognizance of the chargesheet filed against 13 accused in the case relating to the leak of documents from the petroleum ministry.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Khanagwal accepted the charge sheet filed by Delhi Police in the case and directed police to supply documents related to it to accused.

The court posted the matter for further hearing for May 18. Police have formally charged 13 accused under various sections dealing with cheating, forgery, trespass, theft, common intent and criminal conspiracy.

According to sources, provisions of the stringent Official Secrets Act have not been invoked against the accused but further investigation is on.

Police have cited 42 prosecution witnesses in their 44-page charge sheet filed on Saturday.

Delhi Police also registered a first information report for the leak of classified documents related to various ministries, including of petroleum and natural gas, on February 17.

Five corporate executives are among the accused in the case. They are RIL corporate affairs manager Shailesh Saxena, Jubilant Energy senior executive Subash Chandra, Essar deputy general manager Vinay Kumar, Reliance ADAG deputy general manager Rishi Anand, and Cairns India general manager K.K. Naik.

Former journalist Santanu Saikia, who now runs a web portal, and Prayas Jain, a Melbourne-based energy consultant were booked in the case.