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CBI names two BHEL officials in missing silver FIR
The CBI is investigating silver that disappeared from a BHEL plant in Gurugram.
The plant used silver while making solar cells.
About 31.65 kilograms of silver could not be found during a 2024 inspection.
The silver was worth about Rs 71 lakh at that time.
The FIR names two BHEL officials, Bharat Kumar Pant and Ashish Kumar.
Investigators are also examining three other officials.
The CBI says checks of the silver stopped after 2019.
It also says important records were missing and officials gave conflicting answers.
The investigation will determine what happened and whether anyone committed a crime.
The CBI filed an FIR over 31.65 kg of silver missing from BHEL’s Gurugram solar cell plant.
The missing silver was valued at approximately Rs 71 lakh at prevailing rates.
The FIR names plant head Bharat Kumar Pant and manager Ashish Kumar.
The CBI is also examining the roles of three other BHEL officials.
Investigators allege weakened controls, missing records and contradictory statements enabled the silver’s removal.
- Who
- The CBI named BHEL officials Bharat Kumar Pant and Ashish Kumar in the FIR and is examining three other officials: Ajay Yadav, Vinayan Bhardwaj and Ajai Kumar.
- What
- An investigation concerns 31.65 kg of silver allegedly missing from a BHEL solar cell plant, with an FIR citing conspiracy, disappearance of evidence, criminal breach of trust and public-servant misconduct.
- Where
- The silver was stored at BHEL’s Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell Plant in Gurugram.
- When
- The shortage was discovered during physical verification on February 6, 2024; the CBI registered the FIR on July 8 after a preliminary inquiry on February 26.
- Why
- The CBI began investigating after records showed about 35.6 kg of silver previously held at the plant, while only 6.23 kg was found in 2024.
Key facts
- Missing silver
- 31.65 kg was found unaccounted for.
- Estimated value
- Approximately Rs 71 lakh at the prevailing rate.
- Location
- BHEL’s Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell Plant, Gurugram.
- Silver found in 2024
- 6.23 kg: 3.98 kg of silver targets and 2.25 kg of scrap.
- FIR date
- July 8.
- Named officials
- Bharat Kumar Pant and Ashish Kumar.
- Additional officials examined
- Ajay Yadav, Vinayan Bhardwaj and Ajai Kumar.
- Legal provisions
- IPC Sections 120-B, 201 and 409, plus Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Quotes
CBI sub-inspector in charge
CBI officer whose complaint formed the basis of the FIR
“No proper system for recording consumption, movement or custody of silver was maintained at BHEL, ASSCP, Gurugram.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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