BJP donor firm named in Rs 400 crore SAIL Steel scam; CBI acts on Lokpal’s order
New Delhi: A company that donated Rs 30 crore to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) via electoral bonds is at the center of a major scam involving the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). According to a detailed investigation by The Wire, APCO Infratech Pvt Ltd has been named in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR filed in October 2024, based on findings by the Lokpal and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The scam involves the illegal procurement and resale of subsidized steel worth over Rs 400 crore.
The CBI FIR alleges that APCO Infratech issued a fraudulent work experience certificate to Venkatesh Infra Projects Pvt Ltd (VIPPL), a shell company incorporated just a week before it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SAIL in October 2020. This certificate falsely claimed that VIPPL had participated in 11 large infrastructure projects as a subcontractor under APCO – a claim later found to be fabricated.
The Wire’s Hindi report by journalist Ankit Raj, translated by Naushin Rehman, provides documentary evidence from the FIR, Lokpal's directions, and CVC findings, showing that VIPPL used this false credential to procure steel from SAIL at highly subsidized rates under the “Project MoU Scheme,” and then sold it in the open market for profit.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) later confirmed to the CVC that VIPPL had no role in the projects listed. Despite this, SAIL officials approved the MoU without verifying the authenticity of the documents, enabling VIPPL to purchase over 1.1 million tonnes of steel meant for legitimate infrastructure projects.
Interestingly, between 2020 and 2023, APCO purchased electoral bonds worth Rs 30 crore – all of which were encashed by the BJP. During this same period, APCO was also awarded several infrastructure contracts by government agencies.
The whistleblower in the case, Rajiv Bhatia, a former SAIL marketing officer, raised internal alarms and eventually approached the Prime Minister’s Office. He was suspended in 2022 and later prematurely retired, even as other officials suspended in connection with the scam were reinstated after the 2024 General Elections.
The Lokpal in its January 2024 order observed: “There is prima facie material on record to indicate lack of due diligence on the part of the concerned officers of SAIL. Possible connivance of some officials with M/s VIPPL cannot be ruled out.”
SAIL has denied that any financial loss occurred and maintained that VIPPL was a legitimate dealer. However, the CVC and Lokpal reports sharply contradict this claim, pointing to coordinated fraud involving forged documentation and insider cooperation.
The CBI has begun further investigations into other companies and officials allegedly involved in similar fraudulent MoUs with SAIL.
This story is based on an original investigative report published in Hindi by The Wire, reported by Ankit Raj and translated by Naushin Rehman.
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Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India calls current situation 'no war, no peace'
Bengaluru (PTI): Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majeed Hakeem Ilahi on Saturday characterised the ongoing tensions between his country and the Israel-US alliance as a state of “no war, no peace”.
Calling for an immediate halt to the conflict, he said the global stability hinges on those who initiated the war.
He questioned why countries affected by the war and suffering from the energy crisis are not pressuring the US and Israel to stop the aggression.
Addressing a press conference here, Ilahi said Iran did not want the conflict, but was compelled to respond amid continued attacks, even as negotiations were expected to continue.
"Iran didn't want this war, but Iran was forced by the war and several times Iran tried to avoid this war... I don't know what is the condition of these people and these countries (US-Israel)... they want to impose on other countries what they want, and who gave them this authority?" he questioned.
Recalling the negotiations Iran held in Oman, he said talks later moved to Geneva and made progress before being disrupted by sudden attacks.
Ilahi claimed that airstrikes and missile attacks led to the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ministers, commanders and civilians.
"They killed a lot of civilians… They attacked a primary school, and they killed 175 innocent girls," he said, claiming over 4,000 deaths, more than 40,000 injuries, and widespread damage to houses, hospitals, universities and public infrastructure.
Despite these losses, he said Iran resisted calls for “unconditional surrender” and stood firm and defended itself.
"They wanted unconditional surrender. Which no one—no one can accept it. Iran said, 'Okay, we are ready to be sacrificed,' but we are not ready to submit ourselves," he added.
He argued that they (US-Israel) proposed the current ceasefire only after realising that they could not achieve any of their objectives after 40 days of conflict.
The envoy further claimed that the ceasefire is not an actual ceasefire, but a “no war, no peace” situation.
Explaining the current situation in Iran, he said conditions remain stable and people are going about their daily lives.
"They are working ....(leading) their ordinary life. They are working—they're going farming and they do everything....and they aren't scared of anything. And they are ready to defend themselves," he added.
Addressing the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, he said the situation was stable before February 28 and all countries benefited from it.
"(For) 10,000 years, the Strait of Hormuz was open...and Iran daily yearly spent a lot for providing security in the Strait of Hormuz... so no one even complained anything about the Strait of Hormuz. Everyone was free...and even our enemies their warship was passing through the Strait of Hormuz," he said.
However, he linked the current maritime instability to the actions of the US and Israel.
"So Iran cannot do anything. Those people who initiated, created and started this war, they have to stop it. And everything will go back to normal," he said.
Criticising the mentality of the "great powerful country", Ilahi said, "they think they have the right to do whatever they want. It should change."
He sought to know why the countries affected by the conflict are not exerting pressure on the US and the "Zionist" regime to halt the war.
"Why are they not asking them? This crisis and problem by which a lot of countries are affected was created by them. A lot of factories are closed and even working days in some countries reduced... A lot of restaurants are closed," he said.
Seeking fairness and justice, Ilahi said instead of asking Iran, all those nations should ask those who initiated this war to stop it, by telling them, "we are suffering."
To a query on international mediation, Ilahi, referring to the US, asked, "Is it acceptable and reasonable that one country orders all countries -- you should not deal with this country, You should not purchase from this country. You should not have business with this country. You should not buy from this country."
Ilahi also highlighted Iran's long-standing ties with India and said, "It is a great country and we respect India and Indians."
"We have 5,000 years relationship and friendship. We are connected to India by education, by philosophy, by culture, by civilisation and by the economy," he said.
According to him, the bilateral cooperation remains strong, citing diplomatic engagement.
"At the moment also, our relationship, collaboration, cooperation with India is very good," he said, adding Iran allowing Indian ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz reflects the ties.
"Iran allowed Indian ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Why? A lot of countries couldn't get this permission?... The relationship between Iran and India is very good," he added.
He expressed confidence that in future too, the ties between Iran and India will be strong.
