Sambhal: Electricity Department Imposes ₹1.91 crore fine on SP MP Zia Ur Rehman, disconnects supply. Here is why

The Electricity Department has imposed a fine of ₹1.91 crore on Zia Ur Rehman, the Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal, and disconnected the electricity supply to his residence for alleged power theft, an official confirmed on Friday.

As reported by PTI, this action follows a police case registered against the Samajwadi Party MP on Thursday under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, for electricity theft.

His father Mamlukur Rehman Barq was also booked for allegedly threatening officials during the inspection at their residence in Deepa Sarai area, they said.

“An electricity inspection drive underway in Sambhal even today. A fine of ₹1.91 crore has been imposed on the MP by the Electricity department and the power supply to his residence has been disconnected,” Sambhal Superintending Engineer Vinod Kumar told PTI.

According to the FIR lodged by the Electricity Department, an inspection team found evidence of electricity theft by bypassing the meter and confirmed illegal power use.

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PTI reported that the inspection took place on Thursday morning under heavy security at the residence of Zia Ur Rehman. The Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal is also among those booked in connection with the November 24 violence, during which four locals were killed in a clash with security personnel while conducting a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in the city’s Kot Garvi area.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Sambhal, Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, had earlier informed reporters that at 7:30 am on Thursday, Santosh Tripathi from the Electricity Department was assigned to inspect power equipment in the Deepa Sarai area.

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During the inspection at the MP’s residence, Mamlukur Rehman Barq abused engineers V K Gangal and Ajay Kumar Sharma and obstructed government work, he said.

The SP said Barq told the engineer that “the dispensation will change and we will ruin you”. The incident has been video recorded by the electricity department.

“A case has been registered at the Nakhasa police station against Barq and two others — Wasim and Salman — under relevant provisions of the law,” Bishnoi added.

Vinod Kumar said the MP’s house had two connections of two kilowatts each. One in the Zia Ur Rehman’s name and another in his late grandfather’s name.

Two days ago, smart meters were installed at the MP’s residence and in the last six months, the metres showed zero unit consumption, a power department official said.

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He added that when the premises were checked on Thursday a 16.48 kilowatt load was found at his place. When both his electricity meters were sent to the lab, it was found in the MRI test that both the meters were tampered with.

During the check today, engineers Ajay Sharma and V K Gangal claimed that they were threatened by the MP’s father. A complaint has been lodged with the police in this regard, he said.