Discom finds power thieves of a different kind,arrests gang

An advisory issued by the BSES on Tuesday has urged consumers “to guard against unscrupulous elements — out to make a quick buck in a clandestine manner and tarnish the company’s image — and not to get intimidated by their threats and false assurances”. The advisory also cautions residents against giving money to unauthorised persons “whatever be the reason”.

The advisory was issued after BSES officials came to know of a gang that has been cheating its consumers.

A few days ago,four men impersonating BRPL officials informed one Vijender Singh,a consumer in Uttam Nagar in West Delhi,that they needed to carry out a routine inspection of his power meter. After completing the fake inspection,the men declared that Singh’s meter displayed signs of being tampered with — a crime that usually warrants a hefty fine.

They informed the hapless Singh that they would be willing ‘overlook’ the matter provided he gave them Rs 50,000.

“They gave him two hours to think about it,and promised to return later. Suspicious,Singh called up the BSES office,” a statement issued by BSES said.

When the impostors called Singh again,he asked them to come and collect the money. The BRPL enforcement officials,who were at the consumers premises,arrested the men when they showed up to collect the money.

“Based on the complaint by the customer and BRPL officials,a FIR (No 182/10) was registered against them under Section 384/34 of the IPC at the Bindapur police station,” the BSES said.

The gang had reportedly been regularly harassing consumers on one pretext or another,usually ‘tampered meters’,and ‘power theft’.

The BSES has instructed consumers that all enforcement-related fines should be duly paid at BSES offices.

“Customers are advised to ascertain and verify the identity of persons who visit their premises,claiming to be from BSES. Please ask for their identity cards and look for the following to ascertain its genuineness: BSES logo,BSES hologram,date of issue,validity,photograph,signature of authorised signatory,signature of employee,employee number or I-card number,name/ logo/ address of the contractor,and lamination,” the BSES said.