Judge asks police to lodge FIR in meter tampering case

A landmark judgement passed by a metropolitan court has given a major boost to BSES’ efforts to curb the menace of power theft in the capital. On Friday, Metropolitan magistrate Sh. Sanjay Sharma directed the SHO of Dilshad Garden police station to register an FIR in a case of meter tampering.

Earlier this month, three youths had made an offer to a consumer to slow down her meter. Following a tip-off from the consumer, a BSES vigilance team launched a swift sting operation, which led to the three youths being caught red-handed tampering the meter. The team collected the necessary evidence and handed over the three culprits to the police.

The three were then remanded to judicial custody, and faced charges under certain sections (135, 138 & 150) of the Electricity Act, 2003 & section 420 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). But the police later denied BSES the right to lodge an FIR.

The indifferent attitude of the local police forced the power utility to move the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate under section 153(6) of CrPC. The Court passed its judgement in favour of BSES. The significance of the order lies in the fact that the police is bound under the law to register an FIR for offences which fall under the purview of sections 135 to 138 of the Electricity Act, 2003. These offences – ranging from direct theft to tampering of meter -- carry an imprisonment of up to three years or fine or both.

According to a BSES spokesperson, “In the past, we felt handicapped by the lack of support from the local police. But this judgement comes as a major breakthrough. It will not only strengthen the discoms but also benefit the honest consumer.”

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