This Article is From Nov 28, 2010

Mumbai: Power theft worth lakhs unearthed in Bhandup

Mumbai: In a sensational case of power theft, officials of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL), have lodged an FIR against a garment manufacturer in Bhandup who was involved in stealing power for his unit without even touching the metre. The person was using a unique type of remote control, which increases the frequency of the electric metre resulting in the closure of metre while the supply continues.

In August 2010, the officials of MSEDCL found a metre with "No Display" at Vishwas enterprises owned by Vishwas Kadam in Nalini Estate in Bhandup. The metre started functioning normally, the moment it was brought to the company's office, which manufactured it (Genius). As per the findings of Genius company's officials, the metre was out of order since some one was increasing the frequency using a remote control device. After this incident, the officials decided to keep a close watch on the consumer.

The metre was of a type specified technically as "Time of Day". "This type of metre, if tested using a device called Metre Reading Instrument (MRI) gives us a clear report about when the metre was started, which time of the day it was tampered with and more such details. When our officials tested the metre on November 12, they found that the metre had "no display" on it and later in the evening, the same metre was running normally.

Following this, we concluded that the consumer Vishwas Kadam was involved in a major power theft. We have lodged an FIR against him at Kalyan police station," said Satish Karpe, chief engineer of the Bhandup division. He also informed that the company has decided to carry out more such raids using the MRI device. "We have already fined Kadam to the tune of Rs2.71 lakh," added Karpe.

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