Shirur court rejects dairy society's plea for power link on Rs 5 lakh of Rs 2.12 crore theft bill
The Additional Sessions Court at Shirur refused a milk producers' society's plea to restore its power supply on paying a fraction of its power theft bill.
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The Additional Sessions Court at Shirur has dealt a blow to M/s Saiprasad Dudh Utpadak Sanstha of Nimone in Shirur taluka. In a power theft case, the society had demanded that its electricity supply be restored after it paid only a small part of the bill assessed against it. The court rejected the demand on Monday (the 5th).
A total bill of Rs 2,12,21,030 has been fixed in the case. The society, however, had offered to pay only Rs 5,24,109 of it. Its application sought a power connection on payment of a small portion of the bill. The court's decision now makes it clear that the consumer will not get a connection without paying the full amount.
A flying squad of Mahavitaran inspected the consumer's premises on February 14, 2025. The inspection found that the consumer was stealing electricity using a jammer. Theft of 5,00,079 units over a period of 25 months was established, and a bill of Rs 2,12,21,030 was therefore issued. A case has also been registered at Shirur police station in connection with the matter.
After receiving the bill, the consumer claimed that, by its own calculation, it would pay only Rs 5,24,109, and on that basis sought a power connection. Advocates Sachin Khandagale and Ganesh Dimble appeared for Mahavitaran. They argued that under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, supply can be restored only after the entire assessed amount is paid.
The sessions court relied on a judgment of the High Court. Accepting Mahavitaran's argument, the court dismissed the application of M/s Saiprasad Dudh Utpadak Sanstha.
Mahavitaran said that anyone caught stealing electricity faces a criminal case as well as a heavy financial penalty, which amounts to double action. It said there is no legal loophole that allows avoiding payment, and appealed to people to refrain from power theft. It also said it takes strict action against power thieves on a continuing basis.
Mahavitaran has also appealed to people to report any power theft they notice nearby. They can do so through the Mahavitaran mobile app, its website, or the toll-free numbers 1912, 1800-212-3435 and 1800-233-3435.
