Scribe moves HC seeking cancellation of RIL’s licence for KG

“It has been stated that there is a strong allegation against V K Sibal …..that he favoured and approved an increase in the capital expenditure from USD 2.4 billion to USD 8.4 billion for KG…..for which he got personal favour from RIL,” the petitioner said giving reference to a leading national daily.

A bench headed by chief justice Dipak Misra adjourned for a fortnight the hearing of the petition which also sought a direction for the government to take over the control and management of the KG basin from RIL for allegedly violating the terms of the revenue-sharing agreement.

The scribe had earlier moved high court which declined his plea saying it as “pre-mature”.

However,the court had granted him liberty to approach it after the publication of the final report of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The petition alleged the JV has cheated the government by inflating the expenditure as there is a provision in the revenue-sharing agreement that RIL is entitled to recover all expenses before sharing it with the government.

“The respondent (RIL) inflated the capital expenditure multifold which has cost the governemnt unquantifiable revenue losses of several thousands crores of rupees,” the petitioner said in his petition.

The petitioner also alleged late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had opposed the multi-fold increase just before he was killed in a helicopter crash.

The government has granted license to a joint venture of RIL and NIKO for exploitation of the resources of the KG basin.

He said even after CAG reported “serious violation” of rules in KG basin,the government is not taking any action though he has made several representations to the Centre in this regard.

Earlier,the petitioner had moved Supreme Court which directed him to approach the high court.