The vigilance team of the energy corporation has exposed a big case of electricity theft in Rudrapur main market. During a raid at Hotel Blueberry near Bhagat Singh Chowk on Friday, it was found that electricity was being stolen by pressing the cable inside the wall before the meter and making a cut. 8 ACs and geysers in the hotel were running on stolen electricity, while the bill was relatively very low.
How was the theft detected?
On the instructions of Superintendent Engineer Shekhar Chandra Tripathi, Executive Engineer Umakant Chaturvedi, Subdivision Officer Prakash Shah, AE Puneet Kumar, Shubham and the vigilance team jointly raided. When the team reached the spot after a secret investigation, they found that the hotel owner had hidden the cable in the wall before the meter and made a cut in it and connected it directly to the line. A video of the entire action was also recorded.
A case of theft in the neighborhood too
Apart from the hotel, electricity theft was also detected at five other consumers in the surrounding area. A total fine of ₹40 lakh has been imposed in all these cases, of which ₹35 lakh will be recovered from Hotel Blueberry alone. Electricity connections of all the accused have been cut and cables have been sealed.
Preparation for legal action
The Energy Corporation said that the process of registering an FIR against all the accused has been started. In cases of electricity theft, strict action can be taken under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which provides for both fine and jail.