Pune : MSEDCL Takes Legal Action Against 19 Accused for Assaulting Staff Over Past 5 Months

Over the course of the last five months, a disturbing trend has emerged in western Maharashtra with 13 reported incidents of MSEDCL engineers and employees falling victim to assaults. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has taken decisive steps by initiating legal proceedings against the perpetrators responsible for these attacks on its staff members in the region.

Among the reported cases, six incidents each have been recorded in Pune and Solapur districts, while one case occurred in Sangli district. In total, 19 individuals have been implicated in these assaults, prompting active pursuit by law enforcement agencies for their apprehension. If convicted, these accused individuals could face imprisonment ranging from two to 10 years under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Rajendra Pawar, Chief Engineer of MSEDCL’s Pune Circle, highlighted the challenges faced by staff members, particularly in slum areas where resistance from residents is common. In response, MSEDCL has instructed its personnel to seek police protection when necessary, especially during operations like disconnecting power supply to defaulters.

Pawar emphasized, “Despite our repeated appeals, some consumers fail to fulfill their electricity payment obligations on time, leading to visits by our staff members. Unfortunately, these encounters sometimes escalate into instances of abuse and physical violence, disrupting our essential services and constituting punishable offenses under the law.”

Ankush Nale, Regional Director in western Maharashtra for MSEDCL, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to safeguarding its employees and pledged to vigorously pursue criminal charges against those found guilty of assaulting or harassing them. He underscored the importance of electricity for all citizens, given MSEDCL’s role as a government entity, while expressing concern over the mounting issue of unpaid bills.

Simultaneously, MSEDCL has commenced legal action against the 19 accused individuals. However, officials acknowledge the challenges associated with securing convictions, given the historically low conviction rates in cases of this nature. Nonetheless, the company remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and ensuring the safety of its workforce.