Vedanta Plant Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 24; FIR Against Anil Agarwal Triggers Political War of Words

RAIPUR: The death toll in the massive boiler explosion at the Vedanta Power Plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district has climbed to 24, as two more workers succumbed to their injuries during treatment. The incident has now spiraled into a major political and corporate controversy following the registration of an FIR against Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal and nine others.

Fatalities mount in Sakti

The tragedy, which occurred on April 14 at the Singhitarai-based plant, initially reported four immediate casualties. However, the scale of the disaster has expanded as several workers who were shifted to private hospitals in Raipur and Raigarh lost their lives.

According to hospital sources, 12 workers remain under intensive care, with several still in critical condition. The blast, which took place at approximately 2:00 PM in Boiler Unit-1, left 36 workers with severe burn injuries.

Anil Agarwal named in FIR

Following a preliminary investigation by the Industrial Safety Department, the Dabhara police registered an FIR against top management, including Chairman Anil Agarwal. The probe, led by Boiler Inspector Ujjwal Gupta, highlighted "gross negligence" regarding safety protocols and maintenance.

The report submitted to SP Prafulla Thakur suggests that the operational standards required for high-pressure boilers were bypassed. This led to the immediate police action against the top brass, a move rarely seen in industrial accidents involving major conglomerates.

Jindal questions police action

Industrialist Naveen Jindal has come out in defense of Anil Agarwal, questioning the rationale behind naming a Chairman in an FIR before a technical probe is completed. Taking to social media platform X, Jindal expressed concern over the precedent being set for the private sector.

"When accidents occur in government companies or the Railways, do we name the Chairman in the FIR? No. The same standards should apply to the private sector," Jindal stated. He emphasized that responsibility should be fixed only after a thorough evidence-based investigation.

Baghel hits back at Jindal

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched a scathing attack on both the state government and the industrialists. Responding to Jindal’s support for Agarwal, Baghel used the Hindi proverb "Chor-Chor Mausere Bhai" (birds of a feather flock together) to describe the solidarity between the corporate giants.

Baghel alleged that the government is shielding the culprits while the lives of laborers are being treated as expendable. "Is there no value for a worker’s life? Will mere compensation suffice? They deserve justice, and those responsible must face the law," the veteran leader told reporters.

Role of NGSL investigated

The investigation has now turned its focus toward NTPC-GE Power Services Limited (NGSL), the agency responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plant. Reports indicate that Vedanta had handed over the O&M contract to NGSL last year.

Project Head Rajesh Saxena and the maintenance team are currently under the scanner. Officials are examining whether the periodic monitoring and technical fault detection protocols, which were the primary responsibility of NGSL, were strictly followed leading up to the April 14 blast.

Widespread grief and protests

Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at the Raigarh Medical College, where post-mortems were conducted. Family members of the deceased, many of whom had traveled from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, have demanded stringent action against the management.

The incident has also brought to light another recent tragedy at a Raigarh carbon plant, where a young girl and her father were among four killed. The recurring nature of such industrial accidents in the region has sparked calls for a complete audit of safety standards across Chhattisgarh’s industrial belt.

Future outlook and safety

The state government has ordered a high-level technical inquiry into the blast. While the Vedanta PRO confirmed that the responsibility for Unit-1 lay with NGSL, the police maintain that the principal employer cannot be absolved of liability.

As the political heat intensifies, the industry is closely watching the legal proceedings against the Vedanta Chairman. The outcome of this case is expected to set a significant benchmark for corporate accountability in India's industrial sector. This remains a developing story in the latest news today.

Chhattisgarh Power Plant Accident Claims 20 Lives in Boiler Blast

Tragic Chhattisgarh power plant accident at Vedanta facility in Sakti leaves 36 workers injured; victims from multiple states as postmortems continue and compensation announced.

Boiler Blast at Plant  

A boiler explosion ripped through the Vedanta power plant in Singhitrai, Sakti district, around 2 pm on Wednesday. Four workers died on the spot. Debris flew everywhere and plant machinery suffered heavy damage. Panic spread quickly as workers rushed to safety.

Death Toll Hits 20  

The toll climbed to 20 by late Wednesday. Seven bodies were sent for postmortem at Raigarh Medical College Hospital while five more were examined at the district hospital. Relatives of the deceased struggled to reach the facilities on time. Five additional postmortems are scheduled for Thursday because family members could not arrive earlier.

Multi-State Workers Affected  

Only four victims were from Chhattisgarh. The rest hailed from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Plant security head Prem Jha confirmed that 36 workers suffered burn injuries in total. Of these, 12 were local residents of Chhattisgarh while the remaining came from the other four states. Sixteen injured workers are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

Postmortems in Raigarh  

Raigarh became the centre of grim activity on Wednesday. Bodies were shifted to the medical college and district hospital for examination. Some families reached from as far as Uttar Pradesh after receiving news of their relatives. Hospital corridors saw distraught relatives waiting for formalities to be completed. Two workers, Umendra and Kismat Ali, continue treatment at a private hospital in Raipur while three others are being treated at Balaji Metro Hospital in Raigarh.

Aid for Victims Families  

Vedanta management announced immediate relief. Families of the deceased will receive ₹35 lakh each along with a job offer. Injured workers will get ₹15 lakh apiece. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will contribute ₹2 lakh per deceased family and ₹50,000 to each injured worker. The Chhattisgarh government has pledged ₹5 lakh for families of the dead and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Minister Visits Raigarh  

Commerce and Industry Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan, who also holds the labour portfolio, is scheduled to visit Raigarh on Thursday. He will meet injured workers and hold a meeting with the collector and senior officials. The visit comes amid mounting concern over safety standards at industrial units across the state.

Probe Into Accident Ordered  

Labour Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan said immediate instructions have been issued for a thorough investigation. “Strict action will be taken against those responsible under labour laws. No negligence will be tolerated at any level,” he stated. The Congress state unit chief Deepak Baij demanded ₹1 crore compensation for each deceased family and ₹50 lakh for the injured, describing the incident as “extremely painful”.

The Chhattisgarh power plant accident has once again highlighted risks faced by migrant workers in heavy industries. As investigations proceed and relief reaches families, officials say safety audits at similar facilities will be stepped up in the coming days.