India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a Regular Case (FIR) against specific staff/management personnel at Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd’s (BHEL) Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell Plant (ASSCP) in Gurugram, Haryana, over the alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of silver.
The case stems from a preliminary inquiry uncovering the mysterious disappearance of approximately 31.65 kg of high-purity silver targets and recyclable silver belonging to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) funded assets. [BHEL has a dedicated industrial R&D Centre for PV at its Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell Plant (ASSCP) in Gurugram, Haryana. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and testing characterization equipment. Its R&D team is engaged in developing high-efficiency silicon (Si) solar cells and process optimization.]
The enquiry disclosed that approximately 35.6 kg of silver targets/recyclable silver belonging to MNRE-funded assets were available at ASSCP, BHEL, Gurugram, till the year 2016-17 and the same continued to be reflected in records/audit observations till the year 2020. However, during physical verification conducted on 06.02.2024, the quantity of Silver was found available as 6.23 kg (3.98 kg silver target and 2.25 kg scrap) in the Godrej Safe, thereby revealing that around 31.65 kg silver was found unaccounted for.
Investigators found that annual physical verification of silver targets, which was being regularly conducted till 2018, was deliberately discontinued from the year 2019 when Dr. Bharat Kumar Pant took charge as the Head of BHEL, ASSCP, Gurugram, Haryana.
Inventory verification reports and stock registers pertaining to crucial years were also found missing. No proper system for recording consumption, movement or custody of silver was maintained at BHEL, ASSCP, Gurugram. The internal control mechanism relating to custody and verification of silver was systematically weakened, thereby facilitating unauthorized access and gradual removal of silver over a period of time without detection.
During enquiry, it further emerged that Dr Pant was having unauthorized and undocumented possession of keys of the Godrej Safe containing Silver targets. The enquiry also revealed that the dual-key custody mechanism was compromised and proper handing over procedures of keys were not followed.
The statements of various officials examined during enquiry disclosed contradictions regarding physical verification, custody of keys, existence of records and opening of cartons/files, indicating concealment and suppression of material facts.
The inquiry has brought the actions of multiple other officials under the scanner for alleged concealment.
According to investigators, during a physical verification on February 6, 2024, only 6.23 kg of silver was found to be available. Despite having knowledge of earlier inventory figures, the-then manager cum material management (MM) section in-charge Ashish Kumar, along with officials Ajay Yadav, Vinayan Bhardwaj, and Ajai Kumar–who participated in the physical verification of Silver Targets—failed to raise objections regarding the substantial shortage of silver and signed the physical verification report dated 06.02.2024.
The accused face charges under Sections 201, 409, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), alongside Section 13(1)(a) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).
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