3 min readRaipurUpdated: Apr 16, 2026 11:39 PM IST
Police in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district on Thursday filed an FIR, naming Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal and others, in connection with the explosion at the Vedanta power plant on Tuesday.
The explosion left 20 people dead and 15 injured.
Sakti district police said in a statement, “A massive explosion occurred in Boiler-01 at the Vedanta Power Plant. The preliminary technical report submitted by the Chief Inspector of Boilers at the site clarified that an excessive accumulation of fuel inside the boiler furnace caused extreme pressure, leading to the explosion. Due to this pressure, the lower pipe of the boiler shifted from its designated position, resulting in this severe accident. Similarly, the report provided by FSL Sakti confirmed that the excessive accumulation of fuel and the subsequent additional pressure were the primary causes of the explosion.”
“During the investigation, it came to light that Vedanta Company and NGSL did not properly adhere to the standards regarding the maintenance and operation of machinery and equipment. Negligence in equipment upkeep and lapses in operation caused sudden fluctuations in the boiler’s pressure, leading to the accident. Based on available evidence and technical reports, clear negligence has been observed in the incident,” the statement claimed.
It further said that a case has been registered at Dabhra police station under BNS sections 106(1) (death due to negligence), 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery), and 3(5) (common intention) against “Vedanta Company Director Anil Agarwal, Company Manager Devendra Patel, and other responsible officers and employees for prima facie negligence”.
Sakti Superintendent of Police Praful Thakur said, “More investigation reports are awaited from the Industry Department, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and the technical team’s report. Based on these reports, more sections may be added [in the case].”
The explosion is said to have occurred around 2.30 pm at Vedanta’s Singhitarai power plant. “After the pipeline burst, superheated steam at a temperature of around 600 degrees engulfed people who were having their lunch. Some others who were walking in open spaces also got injured,” said a senior official from the district.
Speaking to media persons after visiting the plant on Thursday, Commerce and Industry, Commercial Taxes (Excise), Labour, Lakhan Lal Dewangan said the government of India is also investigating what went wrong, and promised that no one would be spared.
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“The incident is very sad. I visited the power plant today. The government of India has also formed a committee, and a technical analysis will be done, responsibility will be fixed, and stringent action will be taken. It is a very big accident, and those responsible will not be spared in any way. Rs 42 lakh compensation has been announced for the families of the deceased and Rs 17 lakh for those injured. There is a provision for pensions, too. We will give employment to the families of the deceased,” he said.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, said Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno, adding that the best possible treatment would be provided to those injured.
On Wednesday, Vedanta announced Rs 35 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, and Rs 15 lakh for the injured.
