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New Delhi 14 June 2011

Press Release



In a first, Special Court orders attachment of properties of Power Thieves defaulting on their Lok Adalat ‘settlement’




There are scores of ‘power thieves’, who have defaulted in paying their enforcement bills / fines in recent years. Of these 996 cases are those, who have defaulted in their payments, even after ‘settling’ their cases at the Special Lok Adalats - organized from time-to-time by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL).


The Courts have started taking serious note of cases, where customers have defaulted on their payments after ‘settling’ their cases in the Lok Adalats. The Special Court of Electricity, Tis Hazari, recently issued orders for attachment of property (Kurki Zabti) in three cases in Central Delhi. Incidentally, this is the first time; an order for ‘Kukri Zabti’ has been issued by a Delhi in such cases.


Earlier, BYPL had informed the Court about the default by these people and filed “Execution” pleas for attachment of property. What is surprising is that these people had chosen to ‘settle’ their cases at the Lok Adalats, where not only was their penalty amount reduced, but they were also given the benefit of paying the amount is easy instalments.


Kurki Zabti Cases


On the basis of the execution pleas filed by BYPL, the special court had issued Kurki Zabti proceedings against five people. Of these, two property owners during the execution proceedings have paid up the pending penalty amounts. The other three - Nargis, Laeek Babbu and Irfan - are residents of Lal Darwaja, (Chandini Chowk), Basti Harphool Singh, Sadar Bazar (Paharganj) and Gali Khan Machiwalan, (Darya Ganj) respectively. They had been booked in separate cases of power theft. And they also had ‘settled’ their respective cases in the Lok Adalat, and later chose to default on their payments.


Defaulters


After ‘settling’ their cases and agreeing to pay their respective fines in instalments, these people stopped making payments after paying 1 or 2 instalments.


In BYPL’ area of East and Central Delhi, 584 people have defaulted in paying their fines, even after ‘settling’ the case at the Lok Adalat. Corresponding figure for BRPL’ area of South and West Delhi is 412.


Legal Action


BRPL and BYPL are in the process of informing the Lok Adalat courts on the pending penalty defaulters. In addition, both discoms are sending legal notices to such defaulting customers to pay up their "Lok Adalat settled enforcement dues", failing which; legal action will be initiated against them.



In a bid to save themselves from going to jail, these ‘power thieves’ had chosen to ‘settle’ their cases and even availed the benefit of installments at the Lok Adalats.


BRPL and BYPL, Delhi’s premier power distribution companies are committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all their consumers.



For further information please contact:


Prashant Dua

Chandra P Kamat

Corporate Communications

Corporate Communications

39999870 / 9312007822

39999642/9350130304