Govt. rules out corporate rivalry behind Ambani helicopter episode

Mumbai, Apr 29 (ANI): The Maharashtra Government on Wednesday categorically said that no evidence was found during the investigations into Anil Ambani's helicopter sabotage case to suggest a "corporate rivalry" behind the incident.

Talking to reporters, state Home Minister Jayant Patil said, "We have not found any evidence that there is a corporate rivalry between two groups and that is why this had happened."

"So it is nothing of that sort and the police is heading towards the correct conclusion," he added.

In a letter dated April 24, the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) had alleged that the discovery of the pebbles and gravel in the helicopter's filler neck was a clear case of an attempt to murder Anil Ambani by business rivals.

On April 23, Bharat Borge, a technician working with Air Works India Engineering Pvt. Ltd., had discovered pebbles and gravel in the gearbox filler cap of a helicopter used by Ambani.

Borge, who could have acted as the prime witness in the case, was on last evening mysteriously found dead on the tracks between Vile Parle and Andheri suburban stations.

Meanwhile, the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group has declared that they have cancelled the maintenance contract of its three choppers with aviation services provider Airworks Engineering India following the incident.

However, according to Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner Rakesh Maria and Additional DGP (Railway Police) K P Raghuvanshi, Borge's death was a case of suicide.

Maria claimed that the motorman and the guard of a fast local saw the victim cross the track even when the train was fast approaching.

According to the Government Railway Police (GRP), the undated letter found from Borge's person said some " Reliance" people came to question him but he denied to reveal anything. He also felt they will do something to him. However, he did not specify a particular Reliance Group. (ANI)