Chhattisgarh plant boiler explosion: Vedanta chairman named in FIR

Police cited a preliminary technical report and said it indicated that excessive accumulation of fuel inside the boiler furnace triggered the explosion

Published on: Apr 17, 2026, 14:26:37 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Police have named Vedanta chairman in a First Information Report (FIR) filed in connection with the boiler explosion at the conglomerate’s power plant that killed 20 workers and injured 15 others in Chhattisgarh’s Singhitara.

Smoke erupts from Vedanta power plant after a powerful boiler explosion on Tuesday, at Singhitarai, in Sakti District, Chhattisgarh. (PTI)

In a statement, the Chhattisgarh Police cited a preliminary technical report and said it indicated that excessive accumulation of fuel inside the boiler furnace led to high pressure and triggered the explosion, echoing a Forensic Science Laboratory report.

Police said the FIR was registered against Agarwal, company manager Devendra Patel, and others under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s sections, including 106(1) and 289, related to causing death by negligence and negligent conduct with respect to machinery, based on available evidence and technical findings.

A Vedanta spokesperson refused to comment on the FIR even as police said a detailed probe is underway in coordination with technical experts, and legal action will be taken against those found responsible.

On April 14, Vedanta said the explosion occurred at one of the boiler units at its Singhitarai plant, involving personnel of its sub-contractor, NTPC GE Power Services Limited. The company said its immediate priority was to provide the best possible medical assistance to the affected workers and that it was coordinating closely with medical teams and local authorities.

Police cited the investigation and said Vedanta and the subcontractor allegedly failed to comply with standard norms related to machinery maintenance and operation. They added that lapses in upkeep and operational negligence led to fluctuations in boiler pressure, ultimately causing the accident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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