A case has been registered against Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq for electricity theft in Sambhal. The police action followed a complaint filed by officials from the electricity department.
Earlier today, officials from the electricity department and the Anti-Power Theft Police visited the residence of the Sambhal MP.
Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra also arrived at the police station to further investigate the matter.
Speaking about the search carried out by the UP Electricity Department, DK Gupta, a senior engineer from the State Electricity Department, told news agency ANI, “A team of five people went to his (Zia Ur Rehman Barq’s) residence in the morning. The family members initially refused to allow the inspection, but the JE eventually opened the lock. They also threatened the JE, and an FIR is being filed in this matter. A total load of 16.5 kW was recorded. There were two connections of 2 kW each, one in the name of Zia Ur Rehman Barq and the other in the name of his grandfather. An FIR is being filed against Zia Ur Rehman Barq for electricity theft, and an MRI of the meter has also been conducted.”
The investigation by the State Electricity Department follows reports of suspected irregularities in electricity usage at Barq’s residence, with concerns raised regarding compliance with the standard operating procedures for electricity connections.
According to reports, a heavy security force was deployed at the Sambhal MP’s residence. Visuals of the search operation have surfaced on the internet showing officials conducting meter readings and checking the load of air conditioners, fans, and other electrical appliances.
