Acting upon the directions of Lokpal of India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is reported to have widened the scope of ongoing investigations against officers of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in the matter of sale of steel to multiple non-project firms by blatantly misusing the policy applicable for projects. 

It is noteworthy that it all started with the supply of over 1,50,000 tonne of steel to M/s Venkatesh Infra Projects Private Limited. On January 10, 2024, Lokpal of India ordered detailed CBI inquiry in the matter and CBI registered an FIR on October 10, 2024. 

It is relevant that at total of 29 officers including V S Chakravarty Director (Commercial)-SAIL; Anil Kumar Tulsiani Director (Finance)-SAIL and V Suresh Director (Commercial)-National Mineral Development Corporation were immediately suspended after order dated January 10, 2024 of Lokpal. The suspensions were later revoked on June 28, 2024 as CBI investigations were taking time.

The CBI finally submitted the purported investigation report along with its covering letter dated May 9, 2025 bearing No. DP0992025/858/33/11/2024/Lokpal(8)/PD.

In its order dated July 2, 2025 in the matter of complaints 73/2023; 74/2023; 146/2024; 155/2024, 168/2024; 135/2024; 180/2024 and 195/2024, Lokpal noted that the report merely focuses on the allegations concerning the transactions with M/s Venkatesh Infra Projects Private Limited depicting culpability of the officials of SAIL. 

Orders of Lokpal at following link: https://lokpalonline.gov.in/lokpalonline/cdn/web_upload/CN73and742023,146and1552024,1682024,1352024,1802024,1952024_1751630027.pdf

Lokpal also opined that they ought not to hasten the consideration of the report dated May 7, 2025 and all the complaints will have to be considered analogously as they all contain allegations against SAIL officials of giving undue benefits and advantage to entities not otherwise eligible for such relief under the scheme; and in some cases the entities have blatantly violated the intent of the Project works scheme/MoU to the knowledge of the SAIL officials, by using the material lifted from SAIL under the scheme for other than their project works/Mou during the relevant period. 

In line with above, it has been gathered that CBI has initiated deep probe against SAIL officials in the matter of supply of steel to many more firms. Names of some of them are : Brick2wall Infratech Pvt Ltd; OFB Tech Private Limited ; Lendcierge Estate Pvt Ltd; Noble Tech Industries Private Ltd; Artisty Infracon LLP; Strike Infracon LLP; Zarielle Projects And Services LLP; Shree Sidhbali Ispat Limited; SMW Ispat Private Limited; Oagri Farm P Ltd; OFCONS Projects And Services P Ltd; AB Buildcon; Fujiyama Power Infra P Ltd; Hitech Infra Solutions; RS Infra Projects; Raunaq Foundations; Ralago Engineering Pvt Ltd; Jalan Projects & Merchants P Ltd; Bharat Infra And Constructions; BBTP Buildtech Private Limited; Shree Balaji Construction; Rudranath Infra And Constructions P Ltd; Shubham Builders; Amber Industries; Rainbow Vanijya Private Limited; Sentire Technologies; Silverwater Metals & Minerals P Ltd; SNG Constructions And Interiors; R J Infra &Projects; Pneu Mech Marketing Pvt Ltd; First India Infra P Ltd; Aadya Buildwell Pvt. Ltd; Powermech Industries; Sarawagi Rice And Oil Mill P Ltd; PVV Infra Limited. 

It has also been gathered that whistle blower in all the above cases is Rajeev Bhatia, who earlier blowed the whistle in the matter of M/s Venkatesh Infra Projects Private Limited and M/s Avon Steel Industries Pvt Limited. For exposing the corruption, on February 11, 2025 he has been given pre-mature retirement by CMD SAIL Amerandu Prakash. 

With the widening of probe by LOKPAL/CBI, it appears to be a scam of large magnitude in which a syndicate of SAIL officials may be involved. It has been gathered that the role of Amerandu Prakash is also under scanner as he deliberately allowed the supplies to above companies despite having full knowledge of the irregularities. 

In between, corridors of power are rife with the news of acceptance of resignation of CMD SAIL Amerandu Prakash by government. It would not be out of place to state that termination of services of Rajeev Bhatia, the whistleblower linked to alleged financial irregularities could be a major reason for his departure especially when Prime Minister Modi has zero tolerance towards corruption.