On December 19, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP from Sambhal, Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, was slapped with a hefty fine of Rs 1.91 crore by the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department for alleged power theft. The department also filed an FIR against Barq, disconnected electricity to his residence, and issued a notice demanding immediate payment of the penalty.
The incident followed a raid by the electricity department, accompanied by state police, at Barq’s residence in Sambhal. Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Santosh Tripathi confirmed the development, stating, “If the penalty amount is not paid by the leader, a recovery certificate (RC) will be issued soon in his name.”
Uttar Pradesh: SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq’s father used abusive language and threatened officials, saying, “When the gov’t changes, we’ll ruin you,” during a raid by the electricity department in Sambhal; FIR registered
Earlier today, a large-scale raid involving the electricity… pic.twitter.com/D3npMkohUg
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) December 19, 2024
Details of the Raid
During the inspection, officials seized existing meters as evidence, alleging tampering. New smart meters were installed at the MP’s residence. According to initial reports, the old meters were sealed and sent to a laboratory for examination, revealing that the meters had been bypassed to show zero readings.
The raid uncovered significant irregularities, including the use of heavy electrical appliances, such as over 50 LED bulbs, three split ACs, two refrigerators, a coffee maker, a geyser, and a microwave oven. The cumulative load of these appliances was calculated to be 16.5 kW, significantly exceeding the sanctioned load of 2 kW.
Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department explained, “Barq’s family members claimed they have a 10 kW solar panel and a 5 kW generator. However, the solar panels were found to be non-functional, and the new smart meters showed a power load of 5.5 kW.”
BREAKING NEWS
Demolition of Illegal construction outside Samajwadi Party MP Zaiur Rahman Barq’s residence. pic.twitter.com/t3gLW7gIpZ
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) December 20, 2024
Allegations of Threats
Apart from the theft charges, Barq and his associates have been accused of intimidating electricity department officials. Superintendent of Police (Sambhal) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi detailed an incident involving Barq’s father, Mamluk-ur-Rehman Barq. “Santosh Tripathi visited the senior Barq’s residence at 7:30 am to inspect electrical equipment. The officials were reportedly obstructed by Barq’s father, who remarked, ‘We will see if the government changes.’ Officials recorded the incident on video as evidence,” Bishnoi said.
#WATCH | UP Electricity Department search at SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq’s residence | SDO Sambhal, Santosh Tripathi says, “…FIR has been lodged on the basis of MRI report of the meter. We have also made a complaint about the threat given to the team (by the father of Zia ur… pic.twitter.com/24eNH2BbFQ
— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024
Legal Provisions and Penalties
The charges against Barq fall under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which deals with electricity theft and unauthorised use. Officials noted that the electricity bill for Barq’s residence had been zero for the past six months.
Broader Campaign Against Electricity Theft
The raid on Barq’s residence is part of a broader anti-encroachment and anti-electricity theft drive in Sambhal. Over the past three months, authorities have registered 1,250 FIRs and imposed fines totalling Rs 5.2 crores for electricity theft in the district.
Notably, multiple mosques and madrasas were found to have used illegal connections to steal electricity. Early morning raids in Deepa Sarai and Nai Sarai uncovered an illegal powerhouse atop a mosque, supplying stolen electricity to over 100 houses. Officials also discovered a mosque equipped with 59 fans, 30 light points, and a refrigerator, all running without a functional meter.
The electricity department’s actions have drawn significant attention to industrial-scale electricity theft in densely populated areas. Authorities have vowed to continue their crackdown on such irregularities.
