Subheadline: The Kalyan electricity distribution circle says the August cases involved power theft assessed at more than Rs 2.13 crore, with legal action planned against consumers who do not pay dues and penalties.
KALYAN | September 9, 2026 — Mahavitaran’s Kalyan circle detected 1,189 electricity theft cases across Thane and Palghar districts during a special enforcement drive in August, with the stolen electricity assessed at more than Rs 2.13 crore, the utility’s public relations department said.
The cases were recorded in both urban and rural areas under the Kalyan circle. Mahavitaran said notices have been issued to the consumers involved, requiring them to pay charges calculated according to the electricity used as well as applicable penalties. Consumers who fail to pay within the prescribed period will face criminal proceedings under the Electricity Act, according to the utility.
Ulhasnagar Division 2 recorded the highest number of cases, with 420 electricity thefts detected during the month. The utility said the cases involved theft of 43,000 units of electricity. The methods identified included tampering with meters, taking unauthorised supply from electricity poles and attaching devices to meters to manipulate consumption readings.
Mahavitaran reported 369 cases in Palghar district, where electricity theft of 163,000 units was detected. Virar and Kalyan Rural divisions each recorded 204 cases, according to a company official cited in the statement.
The utility said electricity theft causes revenue losses and can increase the financial burden on consumers who pay their bills regularly. It also cited safety risks, including short circuits, overloading and damage to transformers, as well as the possibility of fires. Mahavitaran said accidents, including fatalities, have occurred during attempts to use unauthorised connections.
The distribution company has also decided to make public the names of consumers found stealing electricity. The decision was taken after Dhananjay Aundhekar, Mahavitaran’s director of operations, held a meeting with senior officials, the utility said. The company described electricity theft as a social offence and urged consumers with unauthorised connections to regularise them.
Mahavitaran said 1,175 electricity theft cases had been detected in the Kalyan circle in the preceding month. After assessment of those cases, the utility plans to publish the names of the consumers involved. Of these consumers, 167 had deposited Rs 5.77 lakh with the government treasury as settlement charges, while legal action is planned against those who do not pay within the prescribed deadline, chief engineer Chandramani Mishra said.
