FIR Against Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal After Chhattisgarh Plant Blast Kills 20

Moneylife Digital Team 17 April 2026

Economy & Nation

The Chhattisgarh Police have registered a first information report (FIR) against Anil Agarwal, chairman of Vedanta group, and several others in connection with the deadly boiler explosion at the company’s power plant in Sakti district that claimed 20 lives and left 16 persons injured.

The case has been lodged at Dabhra police station under Sections 106 (causing death by negligence), 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to police officials, eight to ten individuals, including Agarwal, have been named in the FIR. “If more persons are found responsible during the course of the investigation, their names will be added,” Sakti superintendent of police (SP) Prafull Thakur told PTI.

The explosion occurred on 14 April 2026 at the plant located in Singhitarai village. Preliminary findings indicate that a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine burst, leading to a massive blast that caused severe burn injuries to several workers.

Subsequent technical assessments have pointed towards excessive pressure build-up inside the boiler as the immediate trigger.

According to a police statement, an initial report submitted by the chief boiler inspector suggested that excessive fuel accumulation in the furnace generated abnormal pressure, which forced a lower pipe out of position and resulted in the explosion. A report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Sakti corroborated these findings.

Investigators have indicated that lapses in maintenance and operational practices may have contributed to the incident.

“Lapses in upkeep and negligent operation led to sudden fluctuations in boiler pressure, ultimately causing the accident. Based on the available evidence and technical findings, negligence has been established prima facie,” the police told reporters.

The probe has also found that Vedanta and its contractor, NTPC GE Power Services Ltd (NGSL), allegedly failed to adhere to prescribed maintenance and operational standards for machinery and equipment.

A preliminary inquiry conducted by the industrial safety department has similarly flagged shortcomings in the implementation of safety protocols at the plant.

Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. A special investigation team (SIT) led by additional SP Pankaj Patel has been constituted, comprising police and forensic experts.

Officials say several crucial reports are awaited, including post-mortem findings, forensic analysis and inputs from the industrial health and safety department. Further sections may be added to the FIR based on these findings.

Following the incident, the opposition Indian National Congress demanded strict action against the plant management and called for a judicial inquiry into the tragedy.

The state government has directed authorities to fix accountability and ensure stringent action against those found responsible. Officials say responsibility would be determined at multiple levels, including plant management and operational staff.

The incident has once again brought industrial safety practices under scrutiny, particularly in high-risk sectors such as power generation. With 20 workers losing their lives in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent months, questions are being raised about compliance with safety norms and oversight mechanisms.

Comments

User

drhebbar

2 months ago

If a Railway accident happens and people die, will they lodge an FIR against the Prime Minister or Railway Minister? If a patient dies in one of the chains of a corporate hospital, even if suspected of negligence, will they lodge an FIR against the Chairman? What is happening?!