Complaint against labourer after power restored by Kejriwal

Power distribution company BRPL today filed a police complaint against a labourer whose electricity connection was restored by Arvind Kejriwal last week after it was snapped by the discom for non-payment of dues.

The BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd filed a complaint with Neb Sarai police station against Banna Ram, a resident of Tigri Colony in South Delhi, as per provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, officials said.

Kejriwal had restored the electricity connection to the household of Banna Ram while launching his 'bijli-paani satyagraha' on Saturday to protest against "inflated" power and water bills.

The complaint has been filed under section 138 of Indian Electricity Act 2003 for "illegal interference and fiddling" with the electricity network. As per section 138 of the Act, unauthorised electricity connection is a punishable offence which may attract imprisonment for upto three years.

Ram had claimed that he got a bill for Rs 15,000 last month and connection was snapped by the discom as he could not pay the amount.

Following restoration of the connection, the Delhi government had asked BRPL to take legal action.

Asked why complaint was not filed against Kejriwal, sources in the discom said action has been initiated as per provision of the Indian Electricity Act which has provision to take action against the consumer who has been given the connection.

Delhi Power Minister Harun Yusuf, slamming the activist, had accused him of trying to spread "anarchy" and "lawlessness" in the city.