Nagpur: Two incidents of alleged intimidation and obstruction of MSEDCL employees while on duty have been reported from different parts of the city, prompting police action and raising concerns over the safety of utility staff in the field.In the first case, a senior operator at MSEDCL’s Old Katol Naka substation was allegedly threatened with death. According to the complaint, Bunty Bahane (42), a resident of Lashkari Bagh and senior operator at the substation, was on duty on Friday when consumer Mandakini Dembare approached the office regarding a new electricity connection. Dembare alleged that an agent had collected Rs1,900 in excess. Bahane reportedly advised her to escalate the matter to senior MSEDCL officials.Police said Janrao Mendole (50), a resident of Gorewada, subsequently confronted Bahane over the advice given to the consumer. He allegedly questioned why Bahane was speaking against him, asked him to step outside and threatened to kill him. The complaint also alleged that Mendole prevented Bahane from carrying out his official duties inside the office.Based on the complaint, Gittikhadan police registered a non-cognisable report (NCR) under Sections 351(2) and 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police advised the complainant to pursue further legal recourse before the court.In the second incident, a senior technician attached to MSEDCL’s Mankapur substation was allegedly abused and obstructed while visiting a consumer for recovery of pending electricity dues.The incident occurred around 3pm on July 10 at SDPL Apartment in Godhani. According to MSEDCL records, resident Darshan Sakhare (50) had an outstanding bill of Rs3,432.87 pending for 43 days. When the technician asked him to clear the dues, Sakhare allegedly used abusive language and obstructed him from discharging his duties. Security guards at the premises also allegedly asked the employee to leave. Sakhare further threatened to visit the MSEDCL office and vandalise it, police said.Treating the obstruction of a public servant on duty as a serious offence, Mankapur police registered a case against Sakhare and launched an investigation.Reported within two days of each other, the incidents have highlighted the challenges faced by MSEDCL personnel during field duties, including bill recovery and consumer grievance redressal.
