Nagpur: In a significant ruling against electricity theft, a Nagpur court has convicted a Kamptee resident for illegally tampering with the electricity distribution system and stealing power. The court sentenced the accused to one year of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹30,00,750.
The judgment was delivered by District Judge-2 and Assistant Sessions Judge Shilpa M. Bais, who found Parvez Ahmed Mohammad Idris (65), a resident of Yerakheda Road, Kamptee, guilty in the case. The verdict is being viewed as a strong message against power theft in the region.
According to Sessions Case No. 13/2015, the incident dates back to 2014, when a team from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL/Mahavitaran) conducted a raid at the accused’s premises in the Ismailpura area of Kamthi.
During the operation, officials allegedly discovered tampering of the electricity system to facilitate illegal power usage. The team seized an HPL company three-phase electricity meter, an MCBCT box, and a 30-foot copper cable that were allegedly used in committing the theft.
Following the raid, a case was registered at the MSEDCL Police Station under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (amended in 2007).
The matter was heard before the ad hoc district court, where Assistant Public Prosecutor W.M. Qazipresented evidence on behalf of the prosecution. After considering the arguments and documentary evidence submitted by both sides, the court held the accused guilty of electricity theft.
As per the sentencing order, if the accused fails to pay the imposed fine, he will have to undergo an additional one year of simple imprisonment.
The accused was represented by Advocate V.B. Thakur.
The court further stated that the period already spent by the accused in custody during the trial would be adjusted against the sentence under Section 468 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Additionally, the court directed that the seized property worth approximately ₹35,000 be handed over to the Mahavitaran Department, Kamthi, after completion of the appeal period. A copy of the judgment has also been ordered to be sent to the District Magistrate, Nagpur.
