1.5 lakh consumers booked in Gujarat for electricity theft worth ₹1,029 crore in two years
An increasing number of electricity theft cases are being reported across Gujarat. In the last two years, 2,82,164 consumers were found to have been using electricity illegally during checks. Of these, 1,52,602 consumers were booked at various police stations for stealing electricity amounting to ₹1,029 crore.Due to the large-scale electricity theft in the state, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has filed cases under 16 police stations in the state.The provision of a fine and three years of imprisonment under the Indian Electricity Act 2003 has not deterred lakhs of people from stealing electricity in the past two years.All four units under UGVCL – DGVCL for South Gujarat, MGVCL in Madhya Gujarat, UGVCL for North and PGVCL for West Gujarat conduct surprise checks to nab such customers and ask them to pay the theft amount along with a fine.However, the respective GUVNL police station files a complaint against those who do not pay.The highest number of complaints were registered by PGVCL.In 2023-24, out of 19,67,024 electricity connections checked, 1,50,920 of them were found to be illegal. In 2024-25, out of 18,92,777 connections checked, 1,31,244 consumers were found to have stolen electricity.All these 2,82,194 consumers were asked to pay the amount along with the penalty. Of these, 1,52,602 consumers failed to pay up ₹ 1,029 crore, leading to police cases against them.According to sources, at times, the offenders have even pelted stones and attacked the inspecting teams accompanied by a police convoy. In the last two years, 61 such attacks have been recorded.
An increasing number of electricity theft cases are being reported across Gujarat. In the last two years, 2,82,164 consumers were found to have been using electricity illegally during checks. Of these, 1,52,602 consumers were booked at various police stations for stealing electricity amounting to ₹1,029 crore.
Due to the large-scale electricity theft in the state, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has filed cases under 16 police stations in the state.
The provision of a fine and three years of imprisonment under the Indian Electricity Act 2003 has not deterred lakhs of people from stealing electricity in the past two years.
All four units under UGVCL – DGVCL for South Gujarat, MGVCL in Madhya Gujarat, UGVCL for North and PGVCL for West Gujarat conduct surprise checks to nab such customers and ask them to pay the theft amount along with a fine.
However, the respective GUVNL police station files a complaint against those who do not pay.
The highest number of complaints were registered by PGVCL.
In 2023-24, out of 19,67,024 electricity connections checked, 1,50,920 of them were found to be illegal.
In 2024-25, out of 18,92,777 connections checked, 1,31,244 consumers were found to have stolen electricity.
All these 2,82,194 consumers were asked to pay the amount along with the penalty. Of these, 1,52,602 consumers failed to pay up ₹ 1,029 crore, leading to police cases against them.
According to sources, at times, the offenders have even pelted stones and attacked the inspecting teams accompanied by a police convoy. In the last two years, 61 such attacks have been recorded.
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