The
So far, investigators have focused on how that information was, in turn, used by some of India's biggest oil companies to pre-empt unfavourable decisions or hurt rivals.
There are also fears that secrets may have fallen into the hands of foreign intelligence agencies, with investigators saying the group's network extended across the government.
"These men had tentacles spread in multiple government offices and it was easy for them to form a network," said one
Among the documents recovered are correspondence signed by
Over the weekend, investigators found documents on India's coal production and power projects. Details of a defence ministry audit are also believed to have been leaked by a
"Yes, it is a threat if the information goes into the wrong hands," said
India will spend $40 billion on defence in the next fiscal year and, in a pivot away from its former reliance on Soviet hardware, has become a key market for U.S., French and Israeli suppliers.
"We were concerned that crucial documents had been leaked, but the defence ministry has always been very strict about its recruitment procedure," said
DOZEN ARRESTS
The security aspect of the leaks, not previously reported, could inject fresh urgency into the investigation which has led to more than a dozen arrests.
Those arrested are journalists Santanu Saikia of Indianpetro.com, Prayas Jain of Metis Energy, and Lokesh Sharma of Infraline Energy.
They are suspected of trespassing, cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy but have not been formally charged.
Saikia, as he was taken to court, said he had been framed. All three protested their innocence at a hearing where they were remanded in judicial custody until March 6.
The three websites published analytical reports based on leaked documents and provided them to corporates too.
One senior oil ministry source, who sought anonymity because the matter is sensitive, said the
Police have also arrested officials from some of India's largest oil companies, including
In stock exchange filings last week, Reliance said it had launched an internal inquiry. Essar, Reliance Power and Cairn say they will cooperate with investigators.
The oil ministry called in the Intelligence Bureau last June, the month after Modi's election victory, after one top