Electricity theft - false implication
Sunil Kumar
(Querist) 04 December 2011
This query is : Resolved
Local MSEB (Maharashtra State Electricity Board) officials are trying to falsely implicate me in electricity theft case. I seek your help & guidance by informing me about my rights.
Please find below the description:
My residential electricity meter was working fine since 2007 till Aug, 2011. When i received bill for the month of Sep, 2011 it showed Zero reading for the month & the bill was for just Rs 30/- towards rental.
Realizing that something is wrong with electricity meter, I immediately submitted a written complaint in the last week of Sep, 2011 with local MSEB office asking them to please repair / replace the meter.
Since no one turned up, hence around 8-Oct-2011, i once again registered the computerized complaint by visiting MSEB Head Office in our area.
Even after registering 2 complaints, no one turned up. Hence i sent my complaint to MSEB Head Office in Mumbai via internet in 3rd week of Nov, 2011.
Due to this high level complaint, very next day 2 lineman visited o my house & said they will inform their officer & he will look into it to repair / replace the meter & they left.
Very next day, same 2 lineman again visisted our house & informed that their boss has called us as it is a case of electricity theft via direct line.
We met his boss & explained him that we have never done anything to the meter. Also the fact why would we complain to MSEB if we would have stealed the elecricity.
He was not ready to listen to our points & was threatening us by telling he can lodge FIR against us.
We are innocent & have not done anything wrong.
MSEB officials have not done any panchnama nor have taken our signatures which is normally required in theft cases.
They have finally replaced our meter in 1st week of Dec 2011, however they are threatening us that they will file police complaint.
Please help.
mahendrakumar
(Expert) 04 December 2011
inview of the facts explained by you,they cannot enforce any such actions,as you have done everything properly.
just because someone make a false allegation,dont worry on it.
in case somebody come for investigation,you explain these things.
Rajeev Kumar
(Expert) 04 December 2011
Mr.Mahendra kumar has rightly stated. So don't be worry
H. S. Thukral
(Expert) 04 December 2011
A theft case has to be proved. If it is a direct theft which is visible by way of broken seals or tampering of meter or direct connection, the person who is duly authorised and carry his authority with him can make an inspection, take photograph and other evidence and then book a case. if there is no visible marks of tampering of meter, the meter shall be sent a accredited lab and tested. On the basis of report and on the basis of connected load a complaint can be filed. Since nothing has happened in your case, no case of theft can be made out.
Shonee Kapoor
(Expert) 05 December 2011
No need to worry. I agree with all experts.
Regards,
Shonee Kapoor
harassed.by.498a@gmail.com
A. A. JOSE
(Expert) 05 December 2011
Dear Mr.Sunil Kumar,
As have been rightly opined by other experts herein above, from the facts furnished by you, prima facie, I am also of the view that you have not worry much at this stage if you have not, in any manner, interferred with the meter. In the normal course, when the Electric Meter is removed/replaced even on your complaint, the authorised employee of the Electricity Company has to make a site Rojkam showing the status thereof - and if they have any prima facie doubt as to the interference with the Meter by anyone and they desires to further get the meter tested in the accredited meter testing laboratory, that fact also should have been indicated in the aforesaid site Rojkam prepared by the Employee and the signature of the Consumer should also have been taken on the same. However, in the instant case, the Electricity Company employee had not done anything of that nature and as such even if they get the Meter now tested in their Meter testing Laboratory, you have good case to challenge their actions on the above stated procedural lapses. Further, whenever they test the Meter in their Laboratory, they will have to intimate you to remain present to witness the testing of the meter in question. During that process also, you have a chance to record your objections/dissent/comments against their actions, and such record would be good evidence as and when you have challenge their actions in the court of law.
In view of the above, if the Electricity Company Officials are threatening to you in any manner (perhaps with ulterior motive ! ), be bold enough to face them without submitting to any kind of illegal demands.
Best wishes,
DEFENSE ADVOCATE.-firmaction@g
(Expert) 04 December 2011
