ONGC Hazira Plant Breach: Accused Intruder Allegedly Influenced by senior government officer

Surat : Hitesh Satyanarayan Dubey, 42, accused of breaching security at the ONGC Hazira plant in Ichhapore, Hazira was released on the same day by the police. What makes this incident even more intriguing is that Hitesh Dubey is the elder brother of Surat’s Assistant Labour Commissioner, SS Dubey.

Speculations have arisen that senior government officers might have exerted influence in the case with both the local police and top ONGC authorities, leading to a swift and seemingly lenient resolution.

The incident unfolded on July 23, when an inebriated Hitesh Satyanarayan Dubey drove his car through the main gate of the ONGC Hazira plant, surpassing three layers of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security undetected. He managed to reach the Conduct Faction Unit (CFU) and the Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) COZON plant gate within the complex, prompting a serious breach of security and raising significant concerns about the safety of such critical installations.

Curiously, the intruder’s car got stuck in a pit within the plant premises, catching the attention of an alert ONGC employee. To everyone’s surprise, it was revealed that the individual inside the car was not an ONGC employee or authorized personnel but was instead Hitesh Satyanarayan Dubey, unrelated to the company.

As the authorities were called in to apprehend the trespasser, suspicions began to emerge that the accused might have received preferential treatment due to his familial connection with SS Dubey, the Assistant Labour Commissioner in Surat. Reports suggest that some government officials may have wielded their influence in the legal procedure, resulting in a surprisingly swift resolution under Section 151.

Following the arrest, Hitesh Dubey was handed over to the Ichhapore police station, where he faced charges under Section 151 of the CrPC, which empowers the police to arrest an individual to prevent a likely breach of peace. However, to the bewilderment of many, he was subsequently released, without facing more severe charges that one would expect in such a security breach case.

Speaking exclusively to The Blunt Times, SS Dubey denied any involvement in his brother’s actions or in influencing the legal process. He clarified that they do not live in a joint family and maintain separate households. “I am not aware of any such incident and have not influenced his arrest,” SS Dubey firmly asserted.

Nevertheless, the incident has triggered concerns about the integrity of security arrangements at the ONGC Hazira plant. ONGC, India’s largest oil producer, operates crucial oil-producing assets along the coast of Maharashtra and Gujarat in Western Offshore. A security breach of this magnitude is a wake-up call for the company to review and bolster its existing security protocols.

Authorities are currently investigating the case, scrutinizing whether any undue influence was exerted in the handling of the accused or if there were any lapses in the security arrangements. The gravity of the situation demands a thorough and impartial inquiry to safeguard national security interests and ensure that such incidents do not recur.