Here’s how Mumbai builder stole electricity worth ₹80.28 lakh over two years

The builder was arrested in Shivaji Park on Wednesday

Connecting a cable directly to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport’s main power supply helped a Mumbai developer steal electricity worth Rs80.28 lakh over the past two years.

The accused stole 24 kilowatt of power, which costs Rs 80.28 lakh. (HT File Photo)

A team from BEST’s vigilance department of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) undertaking raided a 13-storey under-construction building in Shivaji Park and discovered the power theft on Wednesday.

“The developer was given a three phase-metre for construction purposes in 2015. The metre registered power consumption from only a fan and a tubelight. However, we discovered that the man had connected a cable directly to BEST’s main supply. He stole 24 kilowatt of power, which costs Rs 80.28 lakh. He has robbed taxpayers,” said an official.

The Shivaji Park police registered a case against the accused under section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003.