Nagpur: A significant power theft amounting to ₹1.15 crore has been uncovered at Taj Rice Mill in Deolapar, Ramtek taluka. A special flying squad of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) discovered the theft, marking the largest such case in Vidarbha to date, officials said on Saturday, January 10.
The investigation revealed that Taj Rice Mill had illegally consumed electricity worth ₹1.02 crore over the past 12 months, resulting in substantial financial losses for MSEDCL. In addition to filing charges under Section 135 of the Electricity Act 2003 (amended 2007), a penalty of ₹13.10 lakh has been imposed, making the total payable amount ₹1.15 crore.
How the Theft Was Discovered:
On December 30, 2024, a team led by Additional Executive Engineer Vaibhav Narkhede conducted an inspection at Taj Rice Mill. Accompanied by Assistant Engineer N.R. Bagde, Enforcement Officer V.S. Bisne, Senior Technician S.R. Yadav, and Lineman V.K. Barlinge, the team noticed irregularities in the electricity meter. Despite the mill operating at full load, the meter displayed minimal power usage.
Further investigation revealed that an additional cable was illegally connected to the incoming service cable, bypassing the meter. This setup ensured that the entire mill operated without recording actual power consumption. The team measured discrepancies in the current flow and identified unauthorized connections in a back room, confirming illegal electricity usage.
Legal Action and Financial Recovery:
The proprietor of Taj Rice Mill, Shafique Reer Ansari, has been charged under Sections 135 and 152 of the Electricity Act 2003 (amended 2007). The legal action includes recovery of ₹1.02 crore for the stolen electricity and an additional ₹13.10 lakh as a settlement penalty.
Recognition for the Investigation Team:
This breakthrough is credited to the Nagpur Flying Squad under MSEDCL’s Enforcement and Security Department. The commendable efforts of the team, led by Additional Executive Engineer Vaibhav Narkhede, received praise from MSEDCL officials, including Director (Operations) Arvind Bhadikar, Executive Director (Security and Enforcement) Aparna Gite, Nagpur Regional Director Paresh Bhagwat, and Chief Engineer Dilip Dodke.
