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The court noted that electricity is a basic need and that any act of power theft results in substantial financial losses to the Government and dissatisfaction among customers.
Noting that Electricity is a basic need and any act of power theft results in substantial financial losses to the Government, a Delhi Court on Tuesday convicted and penalized a man for illegally shifting poles, causing damage to wires and cables, in northwest Delhi.
Additional Sessions Judge (Electricity) Jitendra Singh of the Northwest District, Rohini stated that power theft also leads to dissatisfaction among customers and directed the accused to pay Rs. 60,000 as compensation to Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.
The man namely Ramesh Kumar Aggarwal, resident of Aman Vihar was charged with offences under Section 136 (Responsibility of Agents and Managers) and 139 (Negligently breaking or damaging works) of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The court also directed Aggarwal to pay a litigation cost of Rs. 3000 to the Power distribution company.
However, court allowed the convict to be released on a personal bond for Rs. 25,000 for a six-month probation period and ordered that he is expected to obey the court's order and appear when the next date of judgment is announced.
The Tata Power-DDL Press release stated that recently, three more instances of illegal pole shifting were convicted. Causing damage to electricity poles and wires is not only a serious offence but creates a serious safety hazard, it stated.
The Press release by the power company also stated that it has been aggressive in the recent past on cases pertaining to power theft and illegal construction causing damage to electricity supply and has been running various campaigns to inform and educate consumers about how to avoid power theft through its website and social media pages. The customers can also walk into any zonal office and ask for assistance or can call on the official helpline number, it read.
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