Murbad police have registered 11 electricity-theft cases against 20 people after Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) teams detected alleged unauthorised power connections in villages around Murbad, Titwala, Khadavali and Shei in Thane district, according to a report by Loksatta.
The action followed a two-month inspection campaign conducted by special flying squads from MSEDCL’s Kalyan division. The utility said the inspections uncovered electricity theft worth more than Rs 5 lakh in total.
According to the report, several households were using electricity without obtaining meters. In some cases, residents allegedly drew wires from roadside electricity poles and connected them to their homes. Other connections were reportedly taken from neighbouring properties or by attaching hooks to live power lines.
The inspections began after MSEDCL’s Kalyan division received information about increasing electricity theft in villages in the Murbad and Titwala areas. Flying squads then carried out surprise checks of individual homes, examining electricity meters and billing records.
The checks found that several homes did not have electricity meters. MSEDCL officials concluded that the occupants were using unauthorised connections and filed complaints at Murbad police station under the provisions of the applicable electricity law. The report did not provide a breakdown of the alleged theft amount by household or identify the accused individuals.
Unauthorised connections can also create risks for residents, utility workers and people near roadside power infrastructure because improvised wires may come into contact with live conductors. MSEDCL has appealed to consumers not to use electricity through illegal connections and to obtain authorised supply through the prescribed process.
The 11 cases were filed after the inspection campaign by MSEDCL officials at Murbad police station. Further action will depend on the police investigation and the applicable legal process.
