NEW DELHI, July 28 (Reuters) - Russia-backed Indian

refiner Nayara Energy Monday said it has started legal

proceedings against Microsoft ( MSFT ) following the abrupt and

unilateral suspension of critical services by the

U.S.-headquartered software giant.

"Microsoft ( MSFT ) is currently restricting Nayara Energy's access

to its own data, proprietary tools, and products-despite these

being acquired under fully paid-up licenses," the refiner said

in a statement.

Nayara, a major buyer of Russian oil, was recently

sanctioned by the European Union as the refinery is

majority-owned by Russian entities, including oil major Rosneft

.

Microsoft ( MSFT ) last Tuesday halted services for Nayara

Energy, sources familiar with the matter said, adding that the

company's employees' Outlook email accounts and Teams have not

been working.

Microsoft ( MSFT ) declined to comment on the issue.

Nayara Energy has filed a petition before Delhi High

Court seeking an interim injunction and resumption of services

to safeguard its rights and ensure continued access to essential

digital infrastructure, the company said.

It said Microsoft ( MSFT ) had not consulted the company before

withdrawing the services.

"This action has been taken unilaterally, without prior

notice, consultation or recourse, and under the guise of

compliance," it said.

Since the imposition of EU sanctions against Nayara, at

least two tankers

skipped

loading refined products from Vadinar and one crude tanker

carrying Russian Urals was

diverted

.

Its chief executive

resigned

and the company had to appoint Sergey Denisov as CEO.