On Thursday, authorities in the Sakti district of Chhattisgarh initiated a First Information Report (FIR) against Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal and others in relation to a tragic explosion at the Vedanta power plant, which occurred on Tuesday and claimed the lives of 20 individuals while injuring 15 more.
The Sakti district police issued a statement detailing that the explosion took place in Boiler-01 at the Vedanta Power Plant. An initial technical assessment from the Chief Inspector of Boilers at the site indicated that the explosion was caused by an excessive build-up of fuel in the boiler furnace, leading to dangerous pressure levels.
The report noted that this pressure caused a displacement of the lower pipe of the boiler, which ultimately resulted in the catastrophic incident. Furthermore, findings from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Sakti corroborated that the fuel accumulation and the resulting pressure surge were central to the explosion.
The investigation revealed lapses in adhering to operational and maintenance standards by Vedanta and NGSL, which contributed to erratic pressure changes in the boiler. The police statement asserted that the evidence collected pointed to clear negligence leading up to the explosion.
As a result, a case has been filed at the Dabhra police station under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 106(1) (death due to negligence), 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), and 3(5) (common intention). The accused named in the FIR include Vedanta Company Director Anil Agarwal and Company Manager Devendra Patel, among other responsible personnel.
Sakti Superintendent of Police Praful Thakur mentioned that additional reports are pending from the Industry Department, the Forensic Science Laboratory, and the technical team. Based on these forthcoming reports, further charges may be applied.
The explosion, which transpired around 2:30 PM at the Singhitarai power plant, released superheated steam at approximately 600 degrees, affecting workers who were having lunch and others in the vicinity, according to a senior district official.
After visiting the site, Lakhan Lal Dewangan, the state’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, assured that the central government is forming a committee to conduct a technical review, assign accountability, and ensure strict penalties. He referred to the incident as a significant accident and emphasized that those found responsible would face consequences. The government has announced compensation of Rs 42 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 17 lakh for those injured, along with provisions for pensions and job opportunities for the families of the victims.
Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno stated that a magisterial inquiry into the incident has been ordered and pledged that the injured will receive the best medical care possible.
In a related announcement, Vedanta expressed its commitment by offering Rs 35 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 15 lakh for the injured on Wednesday.
Jayprakash S Naidu serves as a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, focusing on Chhattisgarh. With a rich background in journalism, he covers the political, security, and humanitarian issues in Central India.
His expertise includes specialized conflict reporting, particularly on the Maoist/Naxalite situation in the Bastar region, addressing themes of internal security, tribal rights, and governance. He has also reported extensively on crisis and disaster management, legal rights issues, and environmental justice, providing a comprehensive view of the social landscape in the region.
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