Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Zia Ur Rehman Barq, has been slapped with a hefty fine of ₹1.91 crore by the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department for alleged electricity theft at his residence. The fine comes after the department discovered evidence of tampering with two electricity meters during an inspection on Thursday.
The Barq‘s house, which the family claims has had no electricity bill for the last six months, drew an inordinate amount of electricity without proper billing.
Meter Tampering and Unaccounted Power Consumption
It is found that the electrical load at Barq‘s residence far exceeded the approved 2 kW connection, the house actually drawing a 16.5 kW load. Though Barq‘s family had claims of using a 10 kW solar panel and a 5 kW generator, the new smart meters recently installed indicated a 5.5 kW power usage much higher than that reported. It was furtherrevealed in the inspection that several high-energy appliances including air conditioners, fridges, and LED lights are there that are responsible for the unreported load of 16,480 kW.
FIR is filed, and further investigation is being carried out.
Post its discovery, the Electricity Department lodged an FIR under Section 135 of the Anti-Power Theft Act. Zia Ur Rehman Barq, who happens to be the Chairman of the District Electricity Committee, too is in serious legal jeopardy. Another FIR has also been lodged against Barq‘s father, Mamluk Ur Rehman, who had allegedly threatened the department officials during his investigation and had attempted to obstruct their duties. Consequently, the MP’s electricity connection has been cut as the matter is being taken further.
