00 Serious violation of safety standards and SOPs in the joint investigation report
Raipur. In the case of the horrific industrial accident that occurred on January 22, 2026, in the factory premises of M/s Real Ispat and Energy Private Limited located in village Bakulahi under Tehsil Bhatapara, a notice has been issued to the factory management on the basis of the report of the joint investigation report constituted on the instructions of Collector Deepak Soni. The reply to the notice will have to be given within a week.

Following an investigation into the serious accident, the Assistant Director of Industrial Health and Safety issued an order, which found factory management violating the provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, and the Chhattisgarh Factories Rules, 1962.
By continuing to operate Kiln No. 1 without shutting it down, the factory management placed workers and factory employees at risk by subjecting them to hazardous conditions and failing to implement comprehensive safety and security procedures at the workplace. The factory management failed to issue a proper work permit when dumping frozen hot ash into a wet scraper within Kiln No. 1's dust settling chamber. Newly recruited workers were employed in hazardous work areas, including the dust settling chamber, without a work permit, demonstrating negligence on the part of the factory management. The factory management failed to obtain permission from the District Trade and Industry Center for commercial production, which is contrary to industrial policy. The factory management failed to provide workers with a register regarding wages and other benefits under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Under the Contract Labour Act 1970, if there are 20 or more workers, they are required to obtain a license under the Contract Labour Act 1973. However, despite having two contractors in the factory, they have not obtained a license for employing 100 workers. Under the Inter-State Migrant Labour Act 1979, work is being taken from inter-state workers without a license, which is a violation of the above rules.

Compensation payments to the deceased and injured: The factory management has paid ₹20 lakh each to the families of the five workers who died in the accident, and ₹5 lakh each to the families of the six injured workers. The injured workers are being treated in Bilaspur. 

It is noteworthy that on January 22, 2026, at approximately 9:40 a.m., six workers died on the spot and five were seriously injured in a sudden explosion and a shower of hot ash while working on the second floor of Kiln No. 1's dust settling chamber. Following a preliminary investigation, a ban has been imposed on the operation and all maintenance work at Kiln No. 1 under Section 40(2) of the Factories Act, 1948.