Court records revealed one of the firms included Speciality Steel UK Limited, a division of Liberty Steel, which employs about 2,000 people in England. 

Three other firms, Liberty Pipes, Liberty Performance Steels and Liberty Merchant Bar, also had petitions against them.

Court documents show the four companies owe HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) ￡26.3m. 

Mr Gupta's GFG Alliance, which owns the businesses, was forced into a financial restructuring last year. This happened because its key lender, Greensill Capital, collapsed.

Since then it has been racing to shore up its finances under growing pressure from creditors and the tax authorities.

Speciality Steel UK Limited, which supplies the aerospace and oil and gas sectors, has sites in Stockbridge and Rotherham. A winding up petition is a form of legal action taken

by a creditor against a company that owes them money. If the company is deemed to be insolvent, an official receiver will be appointed to liquidate the company.

Speciality Steel's case is not expected to take place until late March. It is unclear at what stage the petitions are against the other three companies facing legal action.

A spokesman for Mr Gupta' GFG Alliance said:"Our priority has been to protect thousands of jobsin the UK.

 "We are committed to repaying all our creditors and continue to work with all stakeholders around the UK to create a sustainable future for our businesses following the collapse of Greensill Capital."

The Community, Unite and GMB unions, who represent the steel industry, said in a joint

statement: "This action by HMRC threatens thousands of jobs and is a devastating blow to our members and their families. Liberty Steel is a strategically important business, crucial to

delivering net zero, and under no circumstances can our plants be allowed to close."

A spokesperson for HMRC said: "We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts, working with them to find the best possible solution based on their financial circumstances."

'Critical stage'

GFG Alliance said it was operating against a "very challenging" backdrop, as record high energy prices drove up its overheads.

It added that it was in continuous dialogue with its creditors, including HMRC, to find an "amicable solution" that was in the best interest of all stakeholders.