IOC suspends general manager for leaking information

Indian Oil Corp (IOC) on 2 March said it had suspended its general manager for international trade for allegedly leaking confidential information to a private company official. The state-run company said the general manager, Debangshu Ray, had been suspended on February 27.

While the name of the company to which Mr Ray leaked the information has not been disclosed, it is learnt that he was in touch with the company over the telephone. Earlier, on February 24, another state-owned oil major ONGC had suspended its tehcnology and field services director Shashi Shankar for irregularities in a tendering process.

The suspension comes amid a crackdown by oil, power and coal ministries on officials thought to be leaking sensitive information to media and industry.

Before the suspension, Ray was all set to be appointed as the director for R&D. In fact, his name had been cleared by the PMO for the post, and an appointment for the same was expected to be issued soon.