Police in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district claim to have uncovered an organised racket allegedly involved in the theft of steel worth approximately ₹17.87 crore from the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)’s Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). According to investigators, 13 people have been arrested so far. Police allege that high-grade steel plates, beams and other structural materials were smuggled out of the plant concealed beneath industrial flue dust. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
According to police, the operation began on May 26 following a confidential tip-off, leading officers to raid premises in the Akalordih area of Bhilai. During the search, investigators allegedly recovered a large quantity of steel scrap concealed beneath flue dust inside several heavy commercial vehicles. Police said approximately 250 tonnes of iron plates and beams, valued at around ₹90 lakh, were seized during the raid.
Investigators also confiscated multiple transport vehicles and heavy equipment, including trucks, tippers, a JCB machine, a Hydra crane, a chain-mounted machine and specialised flue-dust sieving equipment. Police estimate the total value of the seized property to be more than ₹3.50 crore.
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Preliminary findings suggest that over the past six months, multiple groups may have used similar methods to remove more than 3,000 tonnes of high-grade steel and heavy iron from the plant, allegedly causing losses of nearly ₹17.87 crore to the public sector undertaking. Investigators believe the case may involve a broader network rather than a single organised group.
Police officials said the investigation is also examining how such large quantities of material repeatedly passed through a high-security industrial facility. The possible role of internal security personnel, transport operators, scrap dealers and other associated individuals is being scrutinised. CCTV footage, vehicle movement records and other technical evidence are being analysed to reconstruct the movement of the seized vehicles.
Officials from Bhilai Steel Plant’s public relations department described the matter as sensitive and declined to comment in detail, stating that it would not be appropriate to issue detailed statements while the police investigation is underway.
The arrested suspects have been booked under provisions relating to organised crime and theft. Police said further arrests are possible as investigators analyse digital evidence, financial transactions and statements recorded during the course of the investigation.
Authorities said the probe is continuing to determine the full extent of the alleged network, identify any security lapses or possible collusion, and establish the complete transportation chain used in the suspected theft. Further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the ongoing investigation.
