New Delhi, 16 February 2008

Press Release

BSES’ officials attacked, yet again

Three assailants arrested by the Police, FIR lodged

• Members of BSES’ Recovery team attacked, Assistant Manager sustains serious injuries
• The team had gone to disconnect electricity of a resident of Karol Bagh’s China Market
• The occupant had not paid his dues of over Rs 40,000 since October 2007
• The occupant was also misusing the domestic connection for commercial purposes

Officials of BYPL’ Recovery Department were seriously assaulted by three assailants in Karol Bagh’s popular China Market. In the ensuing violence, a BYPL Assistant Manager sustained serious injuries. The Recovery officials had gone to disconnect the electricity of the occupant residing at WEA 14 A/34 China Market, Karol Bagh, who had an outstanding of over Rs 40,000 and was misusing the domestic connection for commercial purposes.

“The Recovery team had gone to the venue to disconnect the defaulter’s electricity in accordance to the guidelines laid in the Indian Electricity Act 2003, after the occupant failed to respond, let alone acknowledge the numerous notices sent by the company. The occupant of the premises had not paid his electricity bills since October 2007. ”, said a BSES official.

Delhi Police personnel who were informed about the incident, promptly reached the venue and managed to arrest Vipin, Manoj and Uma Shankar – the three assailants, supposedly sent by the occupant. A FIR (No 24) has been registered against the three u/s 332, 353, 342 and 186/186 of the Indian Penal Code at the Karol Bagh Police Station. Later the electricity meter was removed with help of the local Police.

At around 50 percent, China Market, Karol Bagh is a high power theft area. In it is not uncommon for BSES’ Enforcement Teams to be routinely attacked while performing their mandatory duties in the area.

“The record breaking journey that has seen power theft showing a steep southward decline from 63% (2002) to 30% (2007) has not been an easy one. Till date, even after the setting up of Special Courts of Electricity and allocation of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to the discoms, they continue to encounter daily perils, while carrying out their routine duties”, said a BSES official.

BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all its consumers.

For further information please contact:

Prashant Dua	Chandra P Kamat
Corporate Communications	Corporate Communications
39999870 / 9312007822	39999088/9350130304