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.