Treasury to view Rotch bid in light of Hinduja affair

The affair involving the Hinduja brothers is casting a shadow over the bid by a Rotch Energy-led consortium to purchase Rafineria Gdanska (RG). A member of the consortium is Gulf Oil International, one of the world's largest diesel producers, which is owned by the Indian brothers. They are facing trial for corruption in India over accusations that they accepted a multi-million pound bribe while acting as intermediaries in a 950 million pound arms sale involving Swedish group Bofors and the Indian government. The Treasury Ministry has announced that it will take the matter into consideration in deciding on the privatization of RG. The Rotch Energy consortium has committed itself to investing $4 billion in the refinery if it wins the tender. The Treasury is also holding talks with Hungary-based fuel concern MOL on the sale. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B1) A.Z.