UP: Electricity department claims proof of ‘power theft’ allegations against Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq | Latest news India

Officials of the electricity department in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district claimed to have found evidence of “power theft” while examining two electricity meters previously installed at the residence of local Lok Sabha MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq, PTI reported on Thursday.

Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Zia Ur Rehman Barq.(@barq_zia/X)

On December 20, the electricity department imposed a ₹1.91 crore fine for Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rahman and cut off the power supply to his residence for alleged power theft.

According to the report, Barq representatives who were present at the inspection claimed that “nothing irregular was found” and that the meters had their seals intact and appeared to be in working order.

The old meters had been replaced with new ones in the days following the outbreak of violence in the district on 24 November.

Supreet Singh, Superintending Engineer (Testing), said the meters were inspected in the presence of officials and MLA representatives.

“One of the meters was registered under the name of the honorable parliamentarian. Its physical condition and seals were found intact, but an NMR (Meter Reading Instrument) report revealed zero voltage, zero load and zero consumption between May 30, 2024 and December. 13, 2024 — about six months,” PTI quoted Singh as saying.

“Electricity bypassed for the purpose of theft,” claims the official

“This indicates that electricity has been bypassed for the purpose of theft as the recorded consumption is zero despite the use,” he added.

The second meter that was installed at the MLA’s residence and registered under his grandfather’s name also had its seals intact, but “the MRI report showed zero consumption and zero charging for the last 16 months,” the superintendent engineer added.

“This further confirms the power theft. MRI usually provides data for a year and this irregularity was clearly visible in the reports,” he added.

Representing MP Barq, Firasat Ullah and Advocate Qasim Jamal visited the electricity department.

“We came to participate in the inspection, but we have not yet received the final report, neither this time nor before. We are waiting for the conclusive findings,” PTI quoted Ullah as saying.

On the alleged irregularities, he claimed, “Both meters have been inspected and nothing irregular has been found so far. The meters, along with their seals, are intact and appear to be in proper working order.”

Officials contradicted the representative’s statements, claiming that while the physical condition of the meters appeared normal, the MRI readings indicated zero consumption for long periods, indicating energy theft.

Further legal action may follow based on the final report, they added.

Zia Ur Rehman is among those booked in connection with the November 24 violence in which four locals died in a clash with security personnel during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in the city’s Kot Garvi area.

(With PTI inputs)