8 UP Electricity Staff Booked for Vandalism, Molestation of Woman
In a shocking incident, eight electricity department workers in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadoi district have been booked for allegedly overcharging bills, molesting a woman, and vandalizing her house on the pretext of a power cut. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the accountability of government officials.
According to the victim, Sajid Ali, the officials had taken ₹7,500 in 2019 for a new electricity connection, but never installed a meter. However, later, the officials accused Ali of electricity theft and billed him ₹1,32,470, including a fine.
Ali, who is still reeling from the shock, alleged that when he confronted the officials about the discrepancy, they physically manhandled him and threatened to disconnect his power supply. He also claimed that the officials vandalized his house and molested his wife in the presence of their children.
The incident came to light after Ali filed a complaint with the local police, who have since booked eight electricity department officials under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The officials, who have been identified as Rakesh Kumar, Rajpal Singh, Rohan Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Mahesh Kumar, and Amit Kumar, have been charged with vandalizing Ali’s house, molesting his wife, and threatening to disconnect his power supply.
The police have also seized the documents and records related to the alleged electricity theft and overcharging of bills. An investigation is underway to determine the extent of the officials’ involvement in the incident.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the region, with many calling for the officials to be held accountable for their actions. The electricity department has also promised to take stern action against the officials involved in the incident.
“This is a serious matter, and we will not tolerate any kind of harassment or intimidation from our officials. We will take strict action against those involved in this incident,” said a spokesperson for the electricity department.
The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in government departments. The electricity department, in particular, has a history of corruption and mismanagement, which has led to widespread complaints from consumers.
In recent years, there have been several instances of electricity department officials being involved in corrupt practices, including overcharging consumers, demanding bribes, and engaging in other forms of malfeasance.
The government has taken some steps to address these issues, including the creation of a dedicated complaint mechanism and the deployment of more officials to the field. However, more needs to be done to root out corruption and ensure that consumers are treated fairly and transparently.
In the meantime, the case against the eight electricity department officials is likely to be closely watched, and their fate will depend on the outcome of the investigation and the legal proceedings that follow.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that the incident has sent shockwaves through the region, and it will take a concerted effort to restore public trust in the electricity department and other government agencies.
