Navi Mumbai: A consumer whose electricity supply was officially disconnected in October 2023 has been caught stealing power by illegally tapping into the MSEDCL main line.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) unearthed the theft during an inspection drive in Nerul, revealing an unauthorized consumption of 2,598 units amounting to Rs 56,900. An FIR has been registered under Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003, at Vashi Police Station.
The incident came to light during a routine inspection conducted by MSEDCL’s Palm Beach branch under its intensified electricity connection verification and recovery campaign.
Acting on instructions from Executive Engineer Suhas Bedagkar and under the guidance of Superintendent Engineer Deepak Patil, Assistant Engineer Hemant Chore and his team—Santosh Kolekar and Rahul Zhende—inspected a residence at Sector 14, Kuksetgaon in Nerul.
At Plot No. 14, Flat No. 302, the team noticed irregularities in the power supply. Closer examination revealed a 2.5 sq mm wire illegally connected from the main line cut-out directly to the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), bypassing the electricity meter entirely. The wire was traced to the residence of one Kanchan Kambha Thakur, where a 1-kilowatt load was found in operation.
Further inquiries revealed that the official power supply to the said meter had been cut off on October 6, 2023. Despite this, the household had been drawing power directly for over 14 months. In addition to the Rs 56,900 theft amount, the consumer also owed Rs 25,950 in previous dues, bringing the total financial loss to MSEDCL to Rs 82,850.
The unauthorized connection was immediately disconnected, and an electricity theft case was registered against Kanchan Kambha Thakur.
Terming electricity theft a serious offense, Bhandup Zone Chief Engineer Sanjay Patil urged consumers to use electricity through legal means and pay their dues promptly. He warned that any further incidents of meter tampering or power theft will invite stricter legal action.
