New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named two officials of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in a first information report following the disappearance of 31 kilograms of silver from one of the PSU's stores or operational units. The development marks a significant escalation in what was initially treated as an internal inventory discrepancy within the country's largest power equipment manufacturer.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the silver went missing during a routine stock verification exercise at a BHEL facility. Upon noticing the shortfall, the corporation's internal vigilance wing flagged the irregularity and referred the case to the CBI, which subsequently registered an FIR and identified two employees as persons of interest. The exact location and the nature of the unit from where the silver went missing have not been officially disclosed.
Silver is commonly used in various industrial applications within the power and electrical sectors — including in the manufacture of specialized components, electronic contacts, and certain types of connectors and switches. At BHEL, it is typically procured through government tenders and stored under strict inventory protocols, with regular audits mandated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
The CBI is now expected to question the two named officials and may also seek information from senior managers responsible for store and inventory control at the relevant unit. Investigators are believed to be examining procurement records, storage logs, and transfer documents to trace the movement of the silver and establish whether the loss resulted from negligence, procedural lapses, or deliberate misappropriation.
This incident has reignited broader debates about the management of precious materials in large public sector undertakings. Critics argue that despite periodic vigilance audits, PSUs like BHEL continue to face challenges in maintaining tight accountability over high-value commodities. Previous cases involving missing gold, copper, and other strategic materials at state-run companies have drawn similar scrutiny from anti-corruption bodies.
BHEL has not yet issued a public statement on the matter. The corporation, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, has faced multiple vigilance cases over the years related to procurement irregularities and inventory shortfalls.
