SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq’s residence inspected for alleged power theft

SAMBHAL (Uttar Pradesh): A team from the State Electricity Department, accompanied by a large number of security personnel, arrived at the residence of SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal on Thursday. The visit was part of an ongoing inspection to flag alleged irregularities in electricity usage at the MP’s residence.

Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra confirmed that the inspection was part of a routine drive against electricity theft. She explained, “This is our regular drive against electricity theft. This checking is in connection with that. There were inputs that proper electricity connection and its SOP were not being followed. So, we are here in this regard”.

#WATCH | Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: A team from State Electricity Department, along with a large number of security personnel, arrives at the residence of SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal. The State Electricity Department has flagged irregularities in electricity usage at the… pic.twitter.com/Y8eLXbXf1M

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

Santosh Tripathi, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Sambhal, added that they are counting the electrical load at the residence. “Some of the rooms on the first and second floors are locked”, Tripathi said, suggesting that the inspection might involve further scrutiny of these areas.

During the inspection, Santosh Tripathi, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Sambhal, revealed some initial findings. “One of the meters had recorded 5.5 kg of load”, Tripathi said. “The reading of the second meter was noted by another official, I will gather data from him,” he added, suggesting that more details would be available after further analysis.

The investigation 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. Heavy security force was seen deployed at the residence of SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq. The team was seen conducting meter readings and checking the load of air conditioners (AC), fans, and other electrical equipment.

#WATCH | Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: A team from State Electricity Department, along with a large number of security personnel, arrives at the residence of SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal. The State Electricity Department has flagged irregularities in electricity usage at the… pic.twitter.com/FbczWgBjKD

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

Authorities were earlier seen carefully reviewing all equipment and connections to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures for electricity distribution. The team is focusing on meter readings and electrical load, with further scrutiny anticipated in the coming days. This investigation follows reports suggesting that the proper protocols were not being followed in the use of electricity at the residence. The ongoing process is expected to reveal more information as officials continue their work.

Additional SP (North) Sambhal, Shrish Chandra, confirmed that the electricity department had requested police assistance for the operation. “They have been provided adequate force so that they can do their work smoothly. Police force is here and it will ensure smooth work”, Chandra said, adding that they were prepared for any potential challenges.

On Wednesday, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of not following the constitution and destroying the harmony of the country by digging everywhere

“BJP does not want to follow the Constitution. It does not believe in democracy. BJP is doing politics of hatred and discrimination. The harmony of the country will be lost by digging everywhere in the country. BJP and people of its ideology are destroying the brotherhood of the country. There is a Places of Worship law in the country, but BJP is not following the law and the constitution. BJP is anti-Constitution, anti-democracy and anti-development. The Samajwadi Party is fighting against the BJP’s politics of hatred. The Samajwadi Party is with all those who will come forward to defeat the BJP”, Akhilesh Yadav said. (ANI)