Minister tells feuding Ambani brothers: Gas is not yours

NEW DELHI: Indian officials said a legal battle between the billionaire Ambani brothers over the supply of natural gas involves "national property" and vowed to ensure the resource is used in accordance with government policy.

The fuel "doesn't belong to them, but to the people of India," Oil Minister Murli Deora said yesterday, a day after the Supreme Court adjourned hearings in the lawsuit to Sept 1.

Oil Secretary RS Pandey, the top official in the ministry, said "the government will protect its property at all costs".