Power theft becomes Financial terrorism . Rs 300 million collected as fine

GURUGRAM: In one of its biggest hauls till now, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has levied a total of Rs 2.9 crore as penalty for power theft in New Gurgaon in the month of May. Officials said that power theft increases with the rising heat as consumers, in order to evade hefty bills, resort to hooking — direct tapping of the line via a hooked cable.
Most cases were reported from Badshapur, SPR and nearby areas, where a profusion of unauthorised constructions have flourished. As many as 350 power theft cases were detected during raids in New Gurgaon in May. “We want to create a deterrent of sorts. Raids will keep an element of fear, which will eventually dissuade consumers from pilfering electricity,” said , superintendent engineer, New Gurgaon.

Mill owners fined Rs 4 lakh for power theft
THANE: A 12-year trial against two flour mill owners from Bhiwandi concluded with their conviction in a case of power theft as the district sessions judge fined them Rs 4 lakh collectively.District judge last week convicted two residents of Nehru Nagar and Navi Vasti, under section 135 of Electricity Act, 2003, and fined them Rs 1.90 lakh and Rs 2.10 lakh respectively.
Additional public prosecutor told court that MSEDCL officials conducted an inspection of their meters on September 18 and 22, 2006, respectively and found them tampered.
The judge observed that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the duo had by tampering with the meters indulged in power theft.
The judge also observed that though no independent witness were examined by the prosecution, the technicalities were strong evidence.[Courtesy:The Times Of India]