**Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department Initiates Rs 1.28 Crore Recovery in Major Electricity Theft Case**
In a significant move against electricity theft, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department has launched a recovery process exceeding Rs 1.28 crore. The operation targets accused individuals reportedly close aides and relatives of Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. The state electricity board has maintained vigilance to apprehend those involved.
According to a report by news agency ANI, Gyan Prakash, Chief Engineer of the Electricity Transmission Division, confirmed that several people in Bareilly have been booked under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, for directly stealing power through illegal connections.
Chief Engineer Gyan Prakash shared details of the raids, stating, “On the 30th, I got information about it. We caught seven people in the raid. We have caught a theft of 77 kilowatts of electricity. An FIR has been registered under the Electricity Act, 2003, and a fine of Rs. 11,200,000 has been imposed. Whoever commits theft will face strict action. I appeal to all those who were caught to pay the fine; otherwise, they will be required to pay the fine through recovery. If they don’t, legal proceedings will follow.” (As cited by ANI.)
The electricity department also revealed that the accused individuals have yet to deposit the assessed amount. Recovery notices (R.C.) have been issued against them under Section 5 of the U.P. Public Demands Recovery Act, 1958. The total amount expected to be recovered is over Rs 1 crore 28 lakh.
### Recovery Certificates Issued Against the Accused:
– Wasim Khan: Rs 15,39,046
– Monish Khan: Rs 22,29,709
– Barkan Raza Khan: Rs 37,32,339
– Ghulam Navi: Rs 26,57,065
– Aman Raza Khan: Rs 26,92,628
Sources reporting to ANI indicate that all the accused individuals against whom these recovery certificates have been issued are close associates and relatives of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan.
In a related case, Maulana Tauqeer’s relative Mohammad Raza has also been fined several crores for operating an illegal charging station.
The Electricity Department has emphasized that strict recovery proceedings will continue as part of its efforts to increase revenue and curb electricity theft.
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### Crackdown on Illegal Buildings Linked to Bareilly Violence
In a related development, the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) sealed an apartment owned by Mohd Farhat Khan and stores owned by Mohd Nadeem at Noumahla Masjid. This action is part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal buildings connected to recent incidents in the city.
Both individuals are accused of inciting violence on September 26 in Bareilly over the controversial ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster row. They are believed to be close associates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council head Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who has been identified as a significant figure in the unrest.
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This stringent action by the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department and the Bareilly authorities highlights the government’s resolve to tackle illegal activities and maintain law and order in the state.
*(With inputs from ANI)*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/up-electricity-department-initiates-rs-1-28-crore-recovery-from-imc-chiefs-aides-for-power-theft-23597410