electricity theft
advocate satya
(Querist) 08 August 2008
This query is : Resolved
sir
the electric meter of one of the consumer got burnt, he reported to the local office , the local office has removed the seal and taken with them, they have connected the line directly,provided the complaint slip to the consumer, after lapse of seven days some enforcement person came to the house and taken photograph of the house, the consumer again contected the area office and then he had been informed that a seperate complaint for change of meter is required at regional office then the meter will be changed ,
now my question is
1when the electrician of the electric company himself had connected the line directly is the customer is been held liable?
2the electric company visit of enforcement cell smell some foul play and do they are planning to lodge case of theft?
3what the consumer should take precautions to protect him?
Manish Singh
(Expert) 08 August 2008
Since it is the degault of the complainant himself, you can not be blamed for such negligence if it si bonafide.
But according to rules, electrician was at fault so enquiry would be held againsst him.
You can show the receipt and can clai m that its a default on part of the Department itself.
advocate satya
(Querist) 08 August 2008
your reply is not clear how it is the default of the consumermoreover the electric department has not replaced the meter siince seven days so in that circumstance is the consumer is supposed to remain without electricity for seven days ? if the electrician has connected the line directly what is his fault , can;t the bill will be averaged and the charges be added in the bill ?
Manish Singh
(Expert) 08 August 2008
here the complainant would be the dept since they are going to lodge a complanint against you.
Srinivas.B.S.S.T
(Expert) 08 August 2008
Do you have any proof that the line man has given the direct connection? then only you can escape from piliferation case. I am sure that the enforcement people will file a case for piliferation. If the consumer has not mentioned the fact that the electrician has given the direct supply, advice him to give a report stating that ASAP.
K.C.Suresh
(Expert) 09 August 2008
Dear satya, The question mainly rests on the point "do you have any evidence to proove the fact that the electrician gave the illegal direct connection. The recipt is sufficint enough to prove that your meter is removed or taken away by the authorities. But who gave connection. If you can succesfully prove that fact you have a say against the person who connected it and play your ignorence of the matter. Otherwise liability is on you. Another side of the issue is that you are the benfeciary and knowingly you have used the power illegally for your purpose with the active connivance of the person who connected it directly with out the sanction of the authorities. Further more the aurthorities cannot permit any person to give a direct connection. You have some mental elemet of mens rea for stealing the power. This a fit case of electricity theft for which prima facie you and the connected fellow are accused. Settle the issue before the latter part part is palyed by the electrical department.Good luck.
