New Technology

Police in Mumbai on Monday charged two employees of an aircraft maintenance firm with tampering a helicopter belonging to Indian telecom tycoon Anil Ambani, one of the world's richest men.

Pebbles and pieces of gravel were found on April 24 in the gear box of a 13-seat Bell chopper belonging to Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) hours before it was scheduled to carry Ambani, ranked by Forbes last year as the world's sixth wealthiest man.

The pebbles could have brought down the helicopter if it had taken off and the twists and turns of the case have transfixed India, with a leading witness -- the technician who discovered the stones -- found dead by a railway track days later.

"Our investigation has just started, but it appears that it is a case of animosity between the management and the helpers of Air Works," said Rakesh Maria, a joint commissioner of police, referring to the aircraft maintenance firm.

"They knew the aircraft belonged to Ambani. This was probably their way to attract attention," he told reporters.

The two men have been charged with intent to cause damage or endanger safety of an aircraft, punishable with life imprisonment and a fine, he said.

ADAG -- which has interests in telecom, financial services, infrastructure and entertainment -- filed a complaint on April 24 alleging "business rivals" were behind the sabotage attempt.

But police say they have ruled out business rivalry.

A spokesman for ADAG declined to comment on Monday.

Last week, the body of the technician who discovered the tampering was found near a railway track, triggering a wave of conspiracy theories in the city, India's financial hub.

A suicide note found on Bharat Borge's body had stated his fears of being implicated in the case, local media said.

His death is being investigated by the Railway Police.

"Borge was not involved. In fact it was his alertness that led to the discovery of the tampering," Maria said.

"There has been a spate of such incidents at Air Works, where the dispute between the management and workers has been going on since 1995," he said.