In one of the largest enforcement actions against power pilferage this year, UHBVN teams successfully dismantled a sophisticated illegal electricity network operating in the district’s rural belt.
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The Operation: Acting on specific intelligence regarding fluctuating load patterns, over 10 teams of UHBVN, supported by a heavy police contingent, swooped down on 50 luxury farmhouses in the Bilaspur and Chhachhrauli areas of Yamunanagar.
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The Findings: While these properties were registered for domestic or agricultural use, officials found that underground cables were being used to bypass meters. This diverted power was fueling heavy-duty commercial crushers used for processing riverbed minerals.
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Technical Sabotage: The raiders found that the accused had tampered with the distribution transformers and used high-capacity “jumpers” to draw direct current. “The load being consumed was nearly 10 times the sanctioned limit,” said a senior UHBVN Executive Engineer.
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Legal Consequences: The department has slapped a cumulative penalty of ₹60 lakh on the property owners. FIRs under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (theft of electricity) are being registered. Authorities have warned that if the fines are not paid within the stipulated time, the properties will be attached.
