Travelocity blames Cleartrip for data theft

Travelocity India has blamed Cleartrip for data theft and has claimed $37.5 million (Rs. 168 crore) damages from its rival for losses as a result of alleged data theft.

Speaking about the issue, Regional VP, Travelocity, Asia Pacific, Roshan Mendis said, "This is a rare civil case where a criminal and forensic investigation has revealed clear evidence of data theft and wrongdoing."

Travelocity bought Travelguru, another travel portal, in August 2009. Travelguru owned Desiya Online Distribution, another travel portal. After the acquisition, Travelocity India accused Cleartrip Chief Executive Stuart Crighton of conniving with Senior Officials of Desiya Online Distribution to commit data theft, which it said led to a loss of business.

Terming these charges as "baseless", Cleartrip said that it arose out of the fact that three of its rival's executives joined it after the acquisition. A Cleartrip spokesperson said Senior Executives of the company had been facing continuous harassment due to what Cleartrip believed was a baseless complaint.

The Gurgaon police filed a charge sheet on 20 December 2010, accusing the officials named in the FIR, including Crighton, of data theft.