FIR against Vedanta plant management officials, others after Chhattisgarh blast kills 20 workers

Sakti (Chhattisgarh): The Chhattisgarh police on Thursday registered an FIR against the management officials and others in connection with the blast at the Vedanta power plant in Sakti district that claimed 20 lives, an official said.

The explosion occurred on April 14 at the plant in Singhitarai village when a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine burst, leaving several workers with severe burn injuries.

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The incident claimed 20 lives and left 16 persons injured.

"A case has been registered at the Dabhra police station under sections 106 (causing death by negligence), 289 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita," Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur said.

Eight to ten individuals have been named in the FIR. If more persons are found responsible during the investigation, their names will be added, Thakur said, adding that company and management officials, along with other responsible persons, have been booked.

Investigation into the incident is underway and several reports are awaited, including post-mortem reports of the deceased and findings from the forensic science laboratory and the industrial health and safety department. A technical team has also been constituted to probe the cause of the blast, he said.

"Further sections will be added if required after all reports are received," the SP said.

Following the incident, the opposition Congress had demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into it.