Bhilai Steel Plant Scrap Theft Probe Expands as 17th Accused, BJP Leader, Held

A BJP functionary has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of iron scrap worth several crore rupees from the public sector Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 17, police said.

The accused, Bhaskar Mudaliyar, a businessman from Vaishali Nagar in Bhilai, was arrested on Saturday after investigators found alleged links between his vehicles and those used for transporting stolen iron scrap from the steel plant premises, Bhilai Nagar City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Satyaprakash Tiwari said.

Police said the case involved an organised network operating inside and outside the steel plant, with stolen scrap allegedly being concealed in consignments of flue dust over the past four to five months.

The investigation began after police, acting on a tip-off, raided AK Traders in Hathkhoj area of Bhilai on May 26 and recovered large quantities of iron material, including plates, beams, cutting waste and other scrap. Authorities seized around 250 tonnes of iron materials along with trucks, a JCB excavator, a Hydra crane and other machinery allegedly used in the illegal operation.

The total value of the seized scrap, vehicles and equipment has been estimated at around ₹3.22 crore, including iron scrap worth approximately ₹90 lakh, officials said.

Following Mudaliyar’s arrest, the BJP’s Bhilai unit announced his expulsion from the party for six years. He had served as treasurer of the Vaishali Nagar mandal unit. The arrests are part of intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb industrial theft and organised criminal activities targeting public sector assets. Police are continuing their investigation to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the scrap theft network.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Vaishali Nagar, Rikesh Sen, has raised concerns over the scale of the alleged theft and demanded further investigation by central agencies. He has alleged possible destruction of evidence and involvement of other individuals, though police have not confirmed these claims.

Authorities said further action would follow based on evidence collected during the ongoing probe.