New Delhi, March 7, 2006

Press Release

Kushth Ashram (Leprosy Home) caught stealing power worth Rs 2.76 crore

• Kushth Ashram running 10 illegal plastic factories within its premises on stolen electricity
• Direct theft of 250 KW assessed, penalty of Rs 2.76 crore slapped
• In another case, BYPL Enforcement Team nabs a plastic factory owned by an influential person indulging in power theft of 255 KW – slaps Rs 3 crore fine

(A) BSES Enforcement Team unearths power theft of 255 KW inside Kushth Ashram

Believe it or not – massive power theft worth crores of rupees has been unearthed inside a Kushth Ashram – meant for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients. The Ashram, ironically, is funded both by government and private aid.

A joint raid conducted by the Delhi Police and BSES Enforcement Teams have caught 10 factories (mostly engaged in manufacture of plastic products) stealing power over 250 KW worth nearly Rs 3 crore from inside the Kushth Ashram situated near Dilshad Gardens in East Delhi.

“These illegal factories were hooking power from the nearby BSES LV mains and were found to be running three shifts. This is the second time in less than two weeks that this Kushth Ashram has been raided for power theft. We are taking strict action against the accused - a FIR has been lodged”, said a BSES spokesperson.

According to a BSES official, “Power theft by an ashram is simply shocking. Clearly stern action needs to be taken against the unscrupulous people in the ashram. How can an ashram in the name of serving leprosy patients indulge in broad-light robbery? By running units round-the-clock on stolen power is a crime against all Delhiites.”

(B) Plastic factory caught stealing power of over 255 KW – Fined Rs 3 crore

In another daring raid, conducted in the wee hours of the morning, BYPL Enforcement Teams swooped down on Gokulpuri – a theft prone area – where over 80 percent of electricity is stolen by the people from BSES’s LT lines and LV mains.

One big thief caught in the raid included an illegal factory - located at Gali No 22, Gokulpuri Village - engaged in the manufacture of different kinds of high quality plastic sheets. The factory which had three shifts running 24 x 7 was found stealing electricity by directly hooking to the nearby BSES LV mains. A penalty of over Rs 3 crore has been slapped on the factory owner as it was assessed stealing over 225 KW.

The factory reportedly had a flourishing business. According to Neighbours the plastic factory had a city wide distribution network and used to supply plastic sheets to even the reputed South Delhi shops. They added that the factory had robust sales and reportedly had a Rs 10 crore annual turnover.  

According to Mr Lalit Jalan, BSES Director “The varied nature of power theft in Delhi never fails to surprise. Honest customers bear the brunt of power theft.  Power theft on such a large and unprecedented scale is the main reason behind large scale power outages in adjoining areas”.

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