The Bhilai Steel Plant iron theft case has exposed an alleged scrap diversion network in Durg, with police recovering nearly 250 tonnes of suspected BSP material hidden beneath fly ash.

Bhilai Steel Plant Iron Theft Case: 250 Tonnes Seized in Durg Raid

A major alleged theft racket involving iron and scrap material from the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) has come to light in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, with police seizing around 250 tonnes of suspected stolen iron valued at nearly Rs 1 crore from a scrap yard in the Hathkhoj-Aklordih area.

The operation was carried out under the Bhilai-3 police station limits after local police received repeated complaints about iron plates and industrial scrap reportedly being siphoned out of the steel plant and supplied illegally through transport vehicles.

Raid After Surveillance

According to police officials, teams had been tracking suspicious movement of trucks and Hyva vehicles exiting the plant area over the past several days. On May 27, officers followed a few suspected vehicles from the plant premises to a private yard located in Hathkhoj.

Once the trucks entered the premises, police teams surrounded the yard and began inspection. Officials said those present at the site failed to produce valid ownership or transport documents linked to the iron stock stored there.

The raid was conducted under the supervision of Chhawani CSP Prashant Kumar Paikra along with personnel from Bhilai-3 police station.

Iron Hidden Under Fly Ash

Investigators believe the material was being transported out of the plant by concealing iron beneath layers of fly ash loaded in trucks. During inspection of two Hyva vehicles parked at the yard, police initially found documents related only to fly ash transportation.

However, a detailed check revealed large quantities of iron hidden underneath.

Officials suspect the seized material may have been stolen from BSP’s SMS-3 unit and stockpiled inside the yard before being diverted further into the scrap market.

Police sources said the method appeared designed to avoid suspicion during routine movement of industrial waste vehicles entering and exiting the plant.

Scrap Yard Sealed

During the search operation, police recovered over 250 tonnes of suspected BSP iron from the premises. The entire stock has been seized under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the yard has been sealed pending further investigation.

Ten vehicles allegedly used in transporting the material have also been taken into custody.

Officials identified the scrap yard operator as Mohammad Kaleem. Transport operator Sanjay Singh is also likely to be questioned as investigators attempt to trace the supply chain and identify those involved in moving the material out of the plant.

Probe Into Internal Links

The scale of the alleged theft has raised serious questions over internal security arrangements inside the Bhilai Steel Plant, one of the largest units operated by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

The plant remains under the security cover of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), with hundreds of CCTV cameras installed across the campus and nearly 700 personnel deployed for surveillance duties.

Given the quantity and weight of the seized iron, investigators believe the operation may not have been possible without insider assistance. Sources familiar with the inquiry said cranes and heavy machinery would have been required to load the material into transport vehicles.

Police officials have indicated that both plant-level operations and transport movement records are being examined.

BSP Forms Internal Committee

Following the seizure, BSP management has constituted a separate internal inquiry committee to examine possible lapses and identify the network behind the alleged diversion of material.

Bhilai Nagar CSP Satya Prakash Tiwari confirmed that police acted after receiving inputs about stolen BSP iron being dumped at a yard operating under the name AK Traders in the Aklordih area.

He said the investigation is still in its early stages and names of accused persons would only be confirmed after verification of records, transport details and questioning of drivers and yard operators.

Earlier Theft Incidents

The latest seizure comes days after another reported theft-related incident inside the Bhilai Steel Plant area involving suspected copper cable theft.

In that case, BSP’s Quick Response Team (QRT) reportedly chased a suspicious car for nearly three kilometres before detaining one accused, while two others managed to escape amid low visibility caused by dust near the restricted zone.

The recurring incidents have intensified concerns over industrial security and material pilferage inside the strategically important steel facility.

As of Thursday evening, questioning of transport staff and scrap handlers was continuing. Police said more arrests and recoveries could follow as the Bhilai Steel Plant iron theft investigation expands.