Pre-dawn drive against power theftat Sambhal MP Barq’s stronghold

Bareilly: In a major crackdown on electricity theft in Sambhal's Sarai Tareen and Dipasrai areas, considered the stronghold of SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq, the district administration detected an alleged illegal mini power station supplying electricity to 50 to 60 houses by tapping the main line. The drive, which started around 5am on Monday, continued for the next three hours, officials said, adding that in a similar exercise last year, the UP electricity board had registered "more than 3,000 FIRs and imposed over Rs 22 crore in fines".Sambhal district magistrate (DM) Rajendra Pensia said, "Power theft was detected on a mosque premises, several houses and dairies. Besides, there was an e-rickshaw charging station found operating on stolen power supply. Officials removed illegal hookings and seized immersion rods. Many instances of overloading and direct-line connections were detected."The DM added that the "special drive" was launched in areas reporting line losses of over 50%. "Power theft results in revenue loss and increases the burden on honest consumers. FIRs will be lodged wherever theft is found and penalties imposed as per the rules. This campaign will continue," he said, adding that similar anti-theft drives conducted last year resulted in direct and indirect revenue savings of around Rs 150 crore.SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said a fully developed underground system functioning as a mini power station was detected in Raisatti police station area. Electricity was drawn directly from the main supply line and distributed illegally to dozens of households. An FIR was registered against a person for operating the illegal power station and action against other offenders is underway, Bishnoi added.Divulging more details of the pre-dawn crackdown, an official said there were simultaneous checks carried out in Dipasrai, Sarai Tareen and Khaggu Sarai areas which involved as many as 12 teams from the power department with support from police personnel of eight thanas, along with PAC, RAF and revenue officials. More than 500 premises, including houses, shops, dairies, religious places and public areas, were inspected, he said, adding that teams had to climb rooftops and use ladders to trace illegal connections.Last year, several prominent local residents, including politicians, were implicated in the alleged electricity theft. Sambhal MP Barq was charged with "theft" of 16.5 kW, incurring a penalty of Rs 1.2 cr, while ex-UP minister Aqeel Ur Rehman Khan, also of SP, was found using 3 kW of power illegally, resulting in a penalty of Rs 2 lakh. Former SP district president Firoz Khan was detected allegedly stealing 4.8 kW, leading to a Rs 55 lakh fine.According to local residents, power theft raids intensified in Sambhal since the violence that erupted in Nov last year during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, leaving five dead and many police personnel injured.