Navi Mumbai News: Kalamboli Restaurant Caught Stealing Power Worth ₹9.48 Lakh; Second Offence In 2 Years

Navi Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) flying squad has booked the owner of New Ajwa Family Restaurant in Kalamboli for allegedly stealing electricity worth Rs 9.48 lakh. Officials said it was the second such offence by the establishment, with a similar case registered in November 2023.

According to MSEDCL, the restaurant’s electricity meter had been tampered with by drilling a hole in the R-phase current transformer, preventing accurate power recording. The theft, which allegedly continued for the past year, resulted in the unlawful consumption of 41,570 units of electricity.

Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Additional Executive Engineer Shashank Pantavane, Senior Technician Vijay Patil, and Senior Technician Mukund Chitale raided the premises around 11:15 am on July 18. Inspection revealed suspicious damage to the meter’s body, a drilled hole, and a damaged R-phase CT, causing the meter to run slowly.

"As per the complaint by MSEDCL, we have registered a case against owner Fawzan Talha Balwa under Sections 135 and 138 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and further action is underway," a police officer from Kalamboli police station said.