BlackBerry makers deny link with home ministry ‘mole’

NEW DELHI - Research in Motion, the Canadian company that makes BlackBerry devices, has denied any link with the senior home ministry official arrested Monday for allegedly leaking sensitive information to some private firms.

“Research in Motion (RIM) unequivocally states that it has no involvement or insight regarding the matter that has led to the arrest of Ravi Inder Singh, nor has there been any suggestion of RIM’s involvement by the government of India,” the company said.

“RIM’s employees and representatives have never met any official of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) other than in official meetings at the premises of MHA. Any suggestion to the contrary is false, unfounded and slanderous,” the company added.

A West Bengal cadre officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and director for internal security in the home ministry, Ravi Inder Singh was arrested and detained for questioning by Delhi Police late Monday.

“It is a matter of concern,” said Internal Security Secretary U.K. Bansal, referring to his arrested colleague, who was also handling matters pertaining to BlackBerry’s encoded services.

The government has been demanding access to the BlackBerry codes for security agencies to intercept e-mails and chat services to ensure these are not misused by terrorists or for any malafide intentions against the state or residents.

“Once again, RIM must ask the media in India to refrain from repeating malicious and unsubstantiated rumours from unnamed sources,” said the Canadian company, disturbed by some unsubstantiated aspersions cast in a section of the media.

“RIM has and will continue to engage the government of India in positive and constructive discussions through official channels and based on RIM’s clearly stated principles,” the company said.