Mob attacks BSES, Delhi police teams checking power theft

In a violent turn to an anti-power theft drive by BSES, one of the two electricity distribution companies (discoms) in Delhi, three discom officials and a Delhi Police officer sustained injuries and many vehicles were damaged when they were attacked by a mob, BSES said on Friday.

"Last evening, members of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited's inspection team were attacked and roughed-up by a mob of unscrupulous elements in Mundka (village Ranholla) in West Delhi," the discom said in a statement here.

"The presence of around 20 Delhi Police personnel accompanying the BSES team in this high power theft area did not deter the mob. This attack was undertaken by people who indulged in power theft in an organised way," it said.

"Three BSES officials and one Delhi Police Sub Inspector were injured and scores of vehicles damaged in the incident. Taking quick action, Delhi Police has registered an FIR and arrested two villagers," it added.

BSES said a 15-member inspection team, that included three women, was undertaking a loss reduction exercise in the area when a mob gathered and started pelting stones at the team.

"This is not an isolated incident. Whenever teams reach these 'sensitive' areas, unscrupulous elements 'gherao' and obstruct officials from performing their duties," it said.

"Despite intensive efforts to reduce power theft, village Raholla (in Division Mundka) continues to have massive losses of around 40 per cent. In the last two years, around 450 cases of power theft having a connected load of around 1200 KW have been unearthed in the area," it added.

Last month, BSES said special electricity courts in Delhi for power thefts have handed out heavy punishment to two offenders -- one of them sentenced to jail and a Rs 4 lakh fine imposed.

Earlier this year, the BSES had announced the sentencing of three offenders to jail terms and cumulative fines of over Rs 55 lakh.

Last year, special courts in four separate judgments had sentenced Delhi residents to rigorous imprisonment for power theft and imposed heavy fines.

--IANS

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