Pune: MSEDCL Cracks Down On Power Theft; 1,281 Consumers Fined ₹81.55 Lakh In 15-Day Drive
Pune: MSEDCL Cracks Down On Power Theft; 1,281 Consumers Fined ₹81.55 Lakh In 15-Day Drive
Pune, July 19, 2026: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has launched an aggressive crackdown on electricity theft across the Pune Circle, detecting 1,281 cases in a special 15-day enforcement drive and imposing penalties totalling ₹81.55 lakh.
The drive revealed that the offenders had illegally consumed 340,730 units of electricity. MSEDCL has warned that consumers who fail to pay the penalties will face criminal prosecution under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The action follows instructions issued by MSEDCL Director Dhananjay Aundhekar during a recent review meeting, directing officials to intensify efforts against electricity theft. Acting on these orders, Pune Circle Chief Engineer Sunil Kakade led a coordinated enforcement campaign across the region.
Officials booked offenders under Sections 135 and 138 of the Electricity Act, 2003, for offences such as meter tampering and direct illegal power connections. Cases involving unauthorized use of electricity were registered under Section 126 of the Act.
The enforcement drive recorded the following action across different divisions:
- Rasta Peth Urban Division: Under the leadership of Superintending Engineer Dnyandev Padalkar, officials detected 375 cases of power theft and imposed penalties amounting to ₹23.30 lakh.
- Pune Rural Division: Led by Superintending Engineer Suresh Sawairam, the team booked 580 electricity thieves and levied fines of ₹29.82 lakh.
- Ganeshkhind Urban Division: The team headed by Superintending Engineer Sinhajirao Gaikwad detected 326 cases, imposing penalties totalling ₹28.42 lakh.
Appealing to citizens, Chief Engineer Sunil Kakade said electricity is a national asset and theft of power is a serious offence punishable with fines and imprisonment. He also cautioned that unauthorized electricity connections pose significant safety risks and urged consumers to obtain only legal electricity connections and use power through authorized means.
