Two former employees of Essar Refinery accused of data theft

Police have registered cases against two former employees of the oil refinery project of Essar Group in Gujarat for hacking the company's computer system and sending sensitive data outside during the 'notice-period' after resigning.
The company filed two FIRs at Khambhalia police station in Devbhoomi-Dwarka district, some 360 kms from here, yesterday. No arrests have been made yet.
The accused were identified as Vikenesh A, who worked as refinery technical officer; and Kailash Parmar, who worked as assistant manager at Essar Refinery at Devaliya in Devbhoomi-Dwarka district. Vikenesh is from Tamil Nadu while Parmar hails from Chorwad in Junagadh district of Gujarat.

As per the complaints filed by Chetan Mavadiya, an Essar officer, the accused hacked the company's computer system and transferred some very sensitive and "top secret" data and documents to other parties through their personal email IDs.
"They hatched a plan (to steal data) and handed their resignations some time ago. A few days before they were to leave the job (during the notice period), they sent several emails to unknown parties using their personal IDs which alerted the company," said inspector Samir Sarda.
The data sent out by Vikenesh includes process monitoring manual, work-flow diagram of Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit, and FCC Heat Balance NVK. While Parmar, who worked in HR department, allegedly stole and emailed SAP HR Module, SAP HR Master Data manual, HR Operation manual, LOI document and project vise bill summary, among other things, the FIR says.

This theft may cause a huge financial loss and damage company's reputation, say the two FIRs.
The duo have been charged under sections 381 (theft by employee) and 408 (breach of trust by employee) of IPC, and sections 66 and 43 (unauthorised access and transfer of computer data) of the Information Technology Act.
Sarda said the accused may have struck a deal with some outside company to share the data, either for money or for a lucrative job.