Nagpur: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd’s (MSEDCL) intensified crackdown on electricity theft has uncovered an average of 161 cases every day across Maharashtra over the past four months, with the pace of detection more than doubling in July.The power utility detected 19,599 cases between April 1 and July 31, translating into nearly 161 cases a day. However, after intensifying the drive from July 1, the number jumped to 11,032 cases in July alone — an average of nearly 356 cases every day.The four-month operation has exposed the scale of electricity theft through direct hooking to power lines and tampering with meters. Of the total cases detected, 15,965 have been assessed, establishing power theft worth Rs 30.36 crore. Bills for the stolen electricity have also been issued, of which 6,629 consumers have paid Rs 14.12 crore.The campaign also resulted in Rs 1.85 crore being levied as compounding charges in 4,959 cases. The Konkan region recorded the highest number of cases at 7,496, followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with 4,597, Nagpur with 4,521 and Pune with 2,985 between April and July.The acceleration in July was particularly sharp. MSEDCL had detected 8,567 cases during the first three months of the drive, from April to June. In contrast, 11,032 cases were detected in July alone, accounting for around 56% of the four-month total.Nagpur accounted for 2,324 cases in July, translating into nearly 75 cases a day. Konkan recorded 4,084 cases, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 2,365 and Pune 2,259 during the month.Of the July detections, 8,462 cases have been assessed, revealing electricity theft worth Rs 15.11 crore. MSEDCL has received Rs 6.22 crore from 3,036 cases, while assessment of the remaining cases is underway.MSEDCL has also started checking electricity connections that were disconnected because of outstanding dues. Officials said consumers found drawing power through another source after disconnection would face action for electricity theft.Consumers who fail to pay the assessed theft amount, along with the applicable penalty, within the stipulated period face criminal proceedings under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The provision carries a fine and imprisonment of up to three years for electricity theft.
