New Delhi, September 26, 2006

Press Release 

Rs 1.26 crore penalty imposed on organizers of popular singer

Hans Raj Hans’s concert on account of stealing power

• Organisers of Hans’ Live concert booked for power theft
• Concert organized by directly stealing 315 KW of electricity

The quantum and extent of power theft defies all logic. Every day, BRPL and BYPL come across very diverse cases of power theft – as different as chalk and cheese. From raiding posh restaurants, residences, shops, showrooms, hospitals, petrol pumps, leprosy homes, JJ clusters, guest houses, marriage pandals, factories, farmhouses – BSES Enforcement Teams thought they have covered power thieves across all strata of society. But they were wrong. The latest to join the infamous list of power thieves is the organizer (who incidentally happens to lead a important trader’s association) of a live concert of the famous Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans.

 The live concert of the famous Sufi singer was organized at a DDA Park in New Kondli. Thousands of mesmerized fans were swaying to the singers’ magical voice. None of them ever imagined that this once is a lifetime occasion will be interrupted by a raid by BYPL’s enforcement team. The culprits – who but the organizers – must have spent lakhs of rupees on organizing the live concert but they chose to steal electricity rather than take a temporary connection for the show.

 The jam packed DDA Park had well planned and astounding lighting arrangements. Powering the massive arrangements was 315 KW of stolen electricity. The New Kondli Trade Association head, Kanhaya Pradhan, was subsequently booked for power theft and a penalty of Rs 1.26 crore was slapped on him. A FIR is also being lodged against the accused. 

“BYPL Enforcement Team has documented all the necessary evidence against the organizers. They should either pay the penalties or be ready to stand trial,” said a BSES official, while urging organizers of such events – including Durga Puja, Diwali melas etc – to apply for temporary connections which BSES would facilitate to get easily and with no hassles. 

“Nearly 156 big Diwali mela and Durja Puja organizers have applied and got temporary electricity connections. We urge every such organizer not to steal electricity during the auspicious festival season,” added the spokesperson.

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

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