ACB arrests MSEDCL junior engineer for accepting ₹2 lakh bribe in electricity theft case | Representational Image
Thane: The junior engineer from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited has been arrested by the Palghar Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from the complainant for not taking any action regarding the alleged electricity theft matter, said officials from ACB.
The junior engineer has been identified as Atul Ashok Avhad, who is posted in the Dahanu division located in Palghar in the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company.
According to ACB officials, the complainant has a buffalo stable in the locality and allegedly tapped wires into the mainline and connected them to the stable illegally. It was found that electricity was stolen by tapping the wires into the main electricity line.
ACB officials said that a penalty of ₹ 7 lakh was imposed upon finding stolen electricity. Avhad allegedly demanded ₹ 3 lakh to not take action and reconnect the electricity. Following this, the complainant approached the ACB Palghar office on March 20 and filed a complaint against Avhad.
Upon verification of the complaint, it was learned that Avhad demanded Rs 3 lakh from the complainant for not taking action and reconnecting the electricity while finding stolen electricity in the complainant’s stable.
Subsequently, a team from the ACB laid a trap and caught him red-handed while taking the first installment of ₹ 2 lakh from the complainant. A case was registered against him under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Dahanu police station.
