MSEDCL detects 2,285 power theft cases in MMR since April; BEST plans crackdown on hotspots

Two major power utilities are stepping up action against electricity theft in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), also known as Mahavitaran, has detected 2,285 cases of power theft since April 2026, causing a loss of about Rs 10.07 crore. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is preparing action in the areas that account for nearly half the power theft cases recorded over the past 33 years.

During a special anti-theft campaign, MSEDCL identified about 37.6 lakh units of electricity used without permission. The company has recovered about Rs 7.6 crore from 1,494 consumers. FIRs have been registered against 185 consumers, and legal action is under way against other violators.

The drive is being run under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which deals with electricity theft. Special teams were formed under divisional superintending engineers Deepak Patil, Dhanraj Bikkad and Laxman Kakde, under the guidance of Bhandup circle chief engineer Sanjay Patil. The teams are tasked with identifying violators and recovering dues.

According to MSEDCL data, Pen division recorded the most cases, 1,079, involving theft worth Rs 3.39 crore. Vashi division had 771 cases, but their estimated value of Rs 4.87 crore is the highest among the three divisions. In Thane, 435 cases worth Rs 1.80 crore were registered.

MSEDCL has said the campaign will continue. It has appealed to consumers to use electricity only through authorised connections. Legal action will be taken against those caught stealing power.

BEST, for its part, has detected 30,932 cases of power theft between 1993 and 2026, causing a loss of Rs 261.72 crore. The undertaking has recovered Rs 220.05 crore of this, or 84.08% of the total.

Two civic wards, F North and G North, account for 15,061 cases, nearly half of the total. These wards include areas such as Sion, Matunga, Wadala, Dadar, Mahim and Dharavi. BEST plans to step up enforcement in these high-incidence areas, beginning with Sion, Matunga, Wadala, Dadar and Dharavi. Special teams will investigate new cases, re-examine earlier violations and follow up on unpaid electricity bills.

Recovery rates vary across BEST's nine wards. Kalbadevi recorded the highest recovery rate, 98.9%, while Byculla recorded the lowest, 69.58%. Byculla also has the highest outstanding amount, Rs 14.72 crore. Officials said recoveries remain pending because of court proceedings, a lengthy recovery process, unpaid interest and the sale of properties carrying unpaid electricity bills.

The intensified drives by MSEDCL and BEST aim to stop unauthorised consumption of electricity, improve revenue recovery and tighten action against power theft across Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region.