Jindal questions FIR naming Vedanta chairman
Jindal questions FIR against Vedanta chief
Raipur | Correspondent: Amidst the horrific accident, when the death toll has spiked to 24, while the remaining are still battling for their lives, Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament from Kurukshetra and a prominent industrialist, has expressed his strong disapproval regarding the FIR filed against Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Naveen Jindal conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and demanded adequate compensation and employment opportunities for them.
However, questioning the direction of the police action, he stated that dragging the name of top leadership, such as Anil Agarwal, into the FIR before the investigation is complete is neither just nor appropriate.
Jindal argues that the Chairman of any major corporate group does not have direct involvement in the day-to-day operations of a plant; therefore, registering a case against them without concrete evidence constitutes a violation of established legal procedures.
The former MP drew a parallel between this incident and accidents that occur within Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the Railways.
He highlighted that in the event of major accidents within government departments, high-ranking officials are never directly prosecuted; therefore, he questioned why a different set of standards is being applied to the private sector.
He warned that if such actions persist, they would have an adverse impact on the country's investment climate and the national objective of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). He has called upon industrial bodies such as the CII and FICCI to take a firm stand on this issue.
It is noteworthy that following the accident on April 14, the police have registered a case against a total of 19 individuals, including Anil Agarwal and Plant Head Devendra Patel, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Preliminary investigations have revealed a disregard for safety standards within the plant premises as well as technical deficiencies, a matter which is currently undergoing a thorough probe.
