Nagpur: In a major crackdown on electricity theft across Vidarbha, the flying squads under the Security and Enforcement Department of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) unearthed power thefts amounting to Rs 28.44 crore during the financial year 2024–25. A total of 3,470 cases of direct power theft were detected following inspections of 11,102 electricity connections conducted between April 2024 and March 2025.
The flying squads carried out action under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (amended 2007), against consumers involved in theft. Additionally, irregularities worth Rs 17.79 crore were found in 1,788 other cases under Section 126 of the same act. The total amount assessed from power theft and irregularities during the year reached Rs 46.24 crore, out of which Rs 39.89 crore has already been recovered from the consumers.
FIRs have been lodged against 288 consumers who failed to pay the assessed amount for power theft at various police stations across the region.
Among the divisions, Akola reported the highest number of cases with 1,024 thefts amounting to Rs 15.81 crore. MSEDCL recovered Rs 14.40 crore, and 93 FIRs were filed. Nagpur followed with 815 theft cases involving Rs 14.14 crore. The department recovered Rs 10.05 crore and lodged FIRs against 104 consumers.
Amravati recorded 675 power thefts worth Rs 8.77 crore, with Rs 7.77 crore recovered and 45 FIRs registered. In Chandrapur, 489 thefts worth Rs 4.52 crore were uncovered, with a recovery of Rs 4.96 crore and 18 FIRs filed. Gondia reported 467 thefts amounting to Rs 2.97 crore, with Rs 2.68 crore recovered and 28 consumers booked.
MSEDCL continues to strive for uninterrupted power supply and efficient services to its consumers. However, electricity theft and losses cause severe financial damage to the company. To curb such incidents, 12 flying squads at the circle level and 3 at the divisional level are operating across Vidarbha under the supervision of the Deputy Director (Security and Enforcement), Nagpur. These teams are also supported by zonal offices in Nagpur and Akola.
The ongoing efforts are being carried out under the guidance of MSEDCL Managing Director Lokesh Chandra, Executive Director (Security & Enforcement) Arpana Gite (IPS), and Nagpur Regional Director Paresh Bhagwat. Deputy Director (Security and Enforcement) Sunil Thapekar, along with engineers, officers, and staff, are playing an active role in minimising financial losses caused by electricity theft.
MSEDCL has appealed to all citizens to report incidents of power theft in their areas to local flying squads, enforcement offices, or the nearest MSEDCL office. The identity of whistleblowers is kept confidential, and suitable rewards are offered for valuable information. Citizens are urged to cooperate by using officially sanctioned electricity connections and help safeguard public resources.
