Gurgaon: Cellular company caught for power theft

The theft came to light after the DHBVN made a surprise inspection at the cellular tower on Palwal Road near Gurgaon-Faridabad border.

Acting on complaints of power distribution company Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam (DHBVN), a vigilance team on Friday caught a reputed cellular company involved in power theft and lodged a police complaint against the firm.

A vigilance official said that power theft is 10% to 12% higher in Gurgaon and Faridabad, causing financial losses and massive disturbances to electricity supply resulting in breakdowns. (HT File)

The theft came to light after the DHBVN made a surprise inspection at the cellular tower on Palwal Road near Gurgaon-Faridabad border.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP), vigilance, Jitesh Malhotra, said, “The state is facing a loss of Rs 8,000 crore because of electricity thefts, every year. Keeping this in mind, we collect information and regularly investigate suspicious cases. Acting on a tip-off, we conducted an inspection and found illegal electricity connections used by the company... We immediately levied a fine of Rs 6 lakh and ordered further probe.”

Gurgaon and Faridabad are regions prone to power theft, the DSP said.

The vigilance wing of Haryana power utilities had busted a gang involved in tampering electricity meters in upscale localities in Gurgaon in 2015. The department had conducted inspection in DLF, Sushant Lok and sectors 14 and 17.

The DHBVN official said meter tampering has been reported frequently.

An executive engineer of the DHBVN said, “Meter tampering will be detected easily now as we are equipped with advance systems that detect tampering in any area or feeder zone. A fine up to Rs 10,000 and imprisonment can be awarded as electricity theft is a serious offence.”

A vigilance official said that power theft is 10% to 12% higher in Gurgaon and Faridabad, causing financial losses and massive disturbances to electricity supply resulting in breakdowns.