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Delhi District Court

A Criminal Complaint Addressed To The ... vs . on 9 April, 2018

       IN THE COURT OF SH. DEVENDRA KUMAR SHARMA
                ADDITIONAL SESSIONS JUDGE,
          SPECIAL COURT (ELECTRICITY), EAST DISTT.,
                KARKARDOOMA COURTS, DELHI

SC No : 241/16
FIR No: 134/09
P.S. NAND NAGRI, DELHI
U/S 135 OF THE ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003
  
STATE
(THROUGH: M/S B.S.E.S. YAMUNA POWER LIMITED)

       VS.

Sh. Vindesh Kumar Shukla,
S/o Sh. Krishan  Shukla,
R/o D­194, School Block, 
Nathu Colony, Delhi­110093.
                                             ........... Accused


DATE OF INSTITUTION OF THE CASE             : 01.09.2010
DATE ON WHICH JUDGMENT WAS RESERVED: 06.04.2018  
DATE OF PASSING OF JUDGMENT                 : 09.04.2018
 

                             JUDGMENT

1.  A   Criminal   Complaint   addressed   to   the   Station   House Officer, Nand Nagri Police Station, Delhi was filed by Sh. N.P. Singh,   the   then   Manager   (Enforcement)/Authorized   Officer   of BSES   YPL   company   (in   short   to   be   called   as   Complainant Company   hereinafter)   against   accused   namely   Vindesh   Kumar Shukla, resident of D­194, School Block, Nathu Colony, Delhi­93 1/22 for the offence punishable u/s 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (in short called as Act hereinafter) for an offence of electricity theft.

(A)  FACTS :

2.  The   main   allegations   made   in   the   said   complaint were to the effect, inter alia, that on 18.11.2008 at about 12 : 55 p.m, an inspection was carried out by the joint team of BSES YPL comprising   of   Sh.   N.P.   Singh   (Asstt.   Manager),   Sh.   Sanjeev Kumar (GET), Sh. Pati Ram (Tr. Lineman), Sh. Arun Chaudhary (Tr. Lineman) and Sh. Faiyaz Asif (lineman) at the premises i.e. D­194, School Block, Nathu Colony, Delhi­93 (in short called as inspected premises) in the presence of  the consumer/accused at site   where   three   phase   whole   current   meter   bearing   no. 27096673 was found installed at site.  Both the meter box plastic seals found missing and all the meter seals found tampered and refixed. The whole meter body including ultrasonic strips found opened and refixed with adhesive as recorded in the video at site at the time of inspection. Meter was segregated at site in front of RC/user and joint team found the illegal remote control device connected   over   the   PCB   of   meter   to   manipulate   the   recorded consumption.

3. It has been further alleged in the Complaint that a total connected load of 21.312 KW/NX/DT (in short KW) was checked & assessed during the course of said inspection which was being illegally used for commercial purpose by the accused 2/22 through   artificial   means   not   authorized   by   the   complainant company.  It has been further alleged that the inspection report and load report were prepared at the spot. It has been further alleged   that   the   necessary   videography     of   the   inspected premises showing irregularities were also conducted at site by Sh. Arun, photographer of M/s Arora Photo Studio. It has been further   alleged   that   as   per   MLCC   Department   report   & MMG/MLCC clarification  it was came to the knowledge that the meter   bearing   no.   27096673   was   a   fake   meter   which   was installed at site illegally.  It has been further alleged that as per direction   of   HOD(Enf.)   BYPL   regarding   CRN   no.   1260129285 and as per mail of Sh. Rajinder Kachroo dated 20.11.2008, it was clarified that the aforesaid meter was fake. It has been further alleged   that     as   per   direction   of   HOD(Enf.)   the   service   cable along­with 3   phase   current  meter  bering no. 17052965 which was installed at site on 18.11.2008, was removed and seized at site on 24.11.2008 by the concerned authorised officer.   It has been   further   alleged   that   the   occupant/user   of   the   inspected premises were found committing direct theft of electricity at the time of inspection by using electricity illegally from the system of the  Complainant  Company.   Hence, the present  Complaint dt. 04.05.2009   was   filed   against   the   accused   for   initiating   legal action   as   per   law   including   the   determination   of  civil   liability against him as per the provision of Section 154(5) of the Act. Upon the said complaint, the present FIR No.134/09 for offence punishable   U/Sec.135   of   Act   was   registered   on   04.05.2009 3/22 against the present accused Vindesh Kumar Shukla.

(B)  INVESTIGATION :

4. After   registration   of   FIR,   investigation   was conducted. During investigation, it was found that accused was the   user   of   electricity   in   the   inspected   premises.     During   the investigation,   it   was   found   that   total   connected   load   of   the premises   was   found   running   through   illegal   means   not authorised   by   the   complainant   company.   During   further investigation,   he   recorded   the   statement   of   the   witnesses   and formally arrested the accused. After completion of investigation, present chargesheet U/Sec.173 of Criminal Procedure Code (in short Cr.P.C) was filed against the accused i.e. Vindesh Kumar Shukla.
(C)  NOTICE :   
5. Accused   was   summoned   and   after   compliance   of provision   U/Sec.207   of   Cr.P.C,   on   17.07.2013   a   notice   of accusation as per the provisions of section 251 of Cr.P.C. was framed   against   the   accused   Vindesh   Shukla   by   the   Ld. Predecessor   Court   for   the   offence   punishable   u/s   135   of   the Electricity Act to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.   
(D)  PROSECUTION  EVIDENCE  :
6. In support of its case, the Prosecution has examined 4 witnesses in order to substantiate the allegations : ­ 4/22 (1)    ASI Dal Chand, Duty Officer as PW­1, who got FIR of the present case registered and has tendered carbon copy of FIR during his examination­in­chief as Ex.PW­ 1/A   and   also   made   the   endorsement   on   the   original rukka Ex. PW1/B which bears his signatures at point A. (2)    Retired  SI Chander Pal as PW­2, who was the IO of the present case and deposed that the investigation of the present case was assigned to him for investigation.

He   has   further   deposed   that   the   case   was   already registered vide Ex. PW1/A and endorsement of the SHO was   there   on   the   complaint   of   authorised   officer   of BSES YPL vide Ex. PW2/A. He has further deposed that on the same day, he had inspected the site and prepared the   site   plan   vide  Ex.PW2/B.   He   has   further   deposed that Sh. R.P. Sharma handed over the case property of the case in three plastic bags which were all sealed and he   seized   the   same   vide   memo   Ex.   PW2/C.   He   has further   deposed   that   he   had   examined   the   witnesses and   recorded   their   statement   u/s   161   Cr.P.C.   It   has been   further   deposed   by   him   that   he   had   formally arrested   the   accused   Vindesh   Shukla   on   25.05.2009 vide   arrest   memo Ex.PW­2/D and his personal search was also got conducted vide Ex.PW­2/E (inadvertently mentioned   as   Ex.   PW7/E).   This   witness   was   cross examined by ld. Defence counsel for accused at length.  (3) Sh. Netra Pal Singh, DGM of BSES YPL as PW­3 5/22 deposed in his examination in chief that on 18.11.2008 at about 12.55 pm, an inspection was conducted by the inspection   team   comprising   of     Sh.   Sanjeev   Kumar (GET),   Sh.   Patiram   and   Sh.   Arun   Chaudhary   (both lineman), and videographer at the inspected premises. He   has  further deposed  that  one  electricity meter  no. 27096673 was found installed at the site and electricity was   running   through   the   said   meter.   He   has   further deposed that on physical checking, they found that all meter seals found tampered and refixed and body found opened. He has further deposed that the tampered seals were shown to the accused present at site at the time of inspection and thereafter they segregated the meter and found that one remote circuit was connected inside the meter   with   PCB.   He   has   further   deposed   that   they demanded   the   accused   for   paid   or     unpaid   bills   but accused failed to show any documents in respect of the same   and   they   confirmed   from   their   office   about   the said meter and found that said meter was not installed by the department and hence it was a fake meter. He has also relied upon documents i.e. Inspection Report as Ex.PW­3/A,   meter   detail   report   as   Ex.   PW3/B, connected Load Report as Ex.PW­3/C, Seizure memo as Ex.PW­3/D and CD containing videography as Ex.PW­ 3/E. He has further deposed that on 24.11.2008 as per the direction Ex. PW3/G issued by HOD Sh. Rajendra 6/22 Kachroo, the new meter and service cable were removed from the site and same was seized vide seizure memo Ex. PW3/F. He has further deposed that  on 04.05.2009, he   had   filed   a   complaint   Ex.   PW2/I   before   SHO   PS Nand Nagri for registration of FIR against the accused. He has also identified the accused and case property i.e. two core  black colour wire of size 2x25 mm sq. having length   of   10   meter;   one   electricity   three  phase   meter bearing   no.   17052965   and   the   carbon   copy   of   the seizure   memo   dt.   24.11.2008   Ex.   PW3/F;   one   meter bearing   no.   27096673   alongwith   one   carbon   copy   of seizure   memo  Ex. PW3/D  as Ex.P­1 to  Ex. P­3.    This witness   was   cross   examined   at   length   by   ld.   Defence counsel. 

(4)    Sh. Patiram, lineman of BSES YPL was examined as PW­4   and   he   deposed   that   on   18.11.2008   at   about 12.55   pm,   an   inspection   was   conducted   by   the inspection team comprising of Sh. N.P. Singh, (AM) Sh. Sanjeev Kumar (GET), Sh. Arun Chaudhary (lineman), videographer and himself at the inspected premises. He has further deposed that accused was found indulged in direct   theft   of   electricity   by   installing   a   fake   meter bearing no. 27096673. He has further deposed that the seal   of   the   said   meter   was   found   in   open   condition containing   a   device   i.e.   remote   control/electronic device.     He   has   further   deposed   that     thereafter   the 7/22 meter   was   removed   and   seized   with   the   seal   of   N.P. Singh at the instructions of team leader.   He has also identified the case property  as  Ex.P­1 to Ex. P­3. This witness was cross examined by ld. Defence counsel for accused.

7. No   other   witness   was   produced   or   examined   on behalf of the prosecution's side.     Hence, on 09.01.2018 as per their oral submission, P.E was closed and matter was fixed for recording  of   Statement   of  the  accused U/sec.281  r/w  Sec.313 Cr.P.C.  

(E) STATEMENT OF ACCUSED :

8. On 22.01.2018, statement of the accused U/sec.281 r/w Sec.313 Cr.P.C was recorded explaining all the incriminating evidence   against   him   on   record   which   he   denied   as   false   & incorrect.   Accused   has   asserted   in   his   statement   that   he   was present at his house when the BSES officials visited his house on the   date   of   inspection.   However   he   has   denied   that   he   was indulged in direct theft of electricity on that day. He has further asserted that  the seized meter was installed there.  However he has denied that seized meter was tampered or was fake meter. He has further asserted that he is innocent and the meter was installed   at   his   premises   by   the   officials   of   the   complainant company and in this regard he has already placed the documents on   record   showing   the   installation   of   meter   at   inspected 8/22 premises.   He   has   further   asserted   that     he   was     paying   the regular bill as and when bill was being  received by him. He has further   asserted   that   he   has   been   falsely   implicated   in   the present case.

9. Accused though preferred to lead defence evidence but he failed to lead any defence evidence. Thereafter matter was fixed for final arguments.

(F)  FINAL   ARGUMENTS   &   RELEVANT   PROVISIONS   OF   LAW :

10. I have heard final arguments advanced on behalf of the   parties.     I   have   also   gone   through   the   record   as   well   as contents   of   CD   and   written   submission   filed   on   behalf   of complainant. 

11. Before going through the facts of the present case, it would   be   relevant   to   re­produce   the   relevant   provisions   of Electricity Act for ready reference : 

Section   135  Theft   of   electricity  -   (1)   Whoever, dishonestly,   ­   (a)   taps,   makes   or   causes   to   be   made   any connection with overhead, underground or under water lines or cables, or service wires, or service facilities of a licensee; or
(b)   tampers   a   meter,   installs   or   uses   a   tampered   meter, current reversing transformer, loop connection or any other device  or   method  which interferes with accurate  or  proper registration,   calibration   or   metering   of   electric   current   or 9/22 otherwise results in a manner whereby electricity is stolen or wasted; or   
(c)   damages   or   destroys   an   electric   meter,   apparatus, equipment, or wire or causes or allows any of them to be so damaged   or   destroyed   as   to   interfere   with   the   proper   or accurate metering of electricity,
(d)uses electricity through a tampered meter;or
(e) uses electricity for the purpose other than for which the usage of electricity was authorized, so   as   to   abstract   or   consume   or   use   electricity   shall   be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both;

Provided that in a case where the load abstracted, consumed, or used or attempted abstraction or attempted consumption or attempted us :-

(i) does not exceed 10 kilowatt, the fine imposed on first conviction shall not be less than three times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity and in the event of second or subsequent conviction the fine imposed shall not be less than six times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity;
(ii) exceeds 10 kilowatt, the fine imposed on first conviction shall not be less than three times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity and in the event of second or subsequent conviction, the sentence shall be imprisonment for a term not less than six months, but which may extend to five 10/22 years and with fine not less than six times the financial gain on account of such theft of electricity.

Provided further that in the event of second and subsequent conviction of a person where the load abstracted, consumed, or used or attempted abstraction or attempted consumption or attempted use exceeds 10 kilowatt, such person shall also be debarred from getting any supply of electricity for a period which shall not be less than three months but may extend to two years and shall also be debarred from getting supply of electricity for that period from any other source or generating station;

Provided also that if it is provided that any artificial means or means not authorised by the Board or licensee or supplier, as the case may be, exist for the abstraction, consumption or use of the electricity by the consumer, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that any abstraction, consumption or use of electricity has been dishonestly caused by such consumer.

 

12. Thus, from the aforesaid provision of law, it is clear that the Complainant Company is required to prove as under : ­

a) That there was theft/abstraction of electricity illegally by tampering the meter or by illegally tapping from a source not validly authorised to the accused.

b) That   it   was being done  by the  accused/consumer  in the inspected premises.

11/22

13. The   law   is   well   settled   that   in   case   the   aforesaid ingredients   are   proved,   there   is   presumption   in   Proviso   III   of Section 135(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003 which is reproduced for ready reference :­ "Provided   also   that   if   it   is   proved   that   any artificial means or means not authorised by the Board or licensee or supplier, as the case may   be,   exist   for   the   abstraction, consumption   or   use   of   electricity   by   the consumer,   it   shall   be   presumed,   until   the contrary   is   proved,   that   any   abstraction, consumption   or   use   of   electricity   has   been dishonestly caused by such consumer".  

(G) FINDINGS : 

14.           In the present case, from the evidence available on the record, it is clear that the raid was conducted at the premises bearing B­194, School Block Nathu Colony, Delhi - 110 093 on 18.11.2008 by raiding team comprising of witnesses PW­3 Sh. Netra   Pal   Singh,   PW­4   Sh.   Patiram   as   well   as   Sh.   Arun Chaudhary   alongwith   videographer.     It   has   been   proved   on record in the testimony of PW­3 and PW­4 that at the time of inspection, it was found that there was one electricity meter no. 27096673 which was found installed at inspected premises and electricity   was   running   through   the   said   meter.   It   has   been further proved that on physical inspection of the said meter it was found that all meter seals were tampered and refixed and body found opened and after showing the same to the accused, meter   was   segregated   and     one   remote   circuit   was   found 12/22 connected inside the meter with PCB. It has been further proved that accused was asked to produce the paid or unpaid bills of the meter but he failed to show any documents. It has been further proved that the genuiness of the said meter was verified from the complainant office and it was found that the said meter was not installed by the complainant company but it was a fake meter.

15. It has been further proved in the testimony of PW­3 and PW­4 that the inspection report Ex. PW3/A, meter detailed report Ex. PW3/B and load report Ex. PW3/C were prepared at site.  It has been further proved that accused signed the   meter details report Ex. PW3/B. It has been further proved that total connected  load  was  found to be  21.312 KW which was being used for commercial purposes through the fake meter.

16.  It has been further proved that the said meter was seized by PW­3 vide seizure memo Ex. PW3/D in the presence of accused after meter was removed.   It has been further proved that entire proceeding was videographed vide CD Ex.PW3/E.  It has been further proved   by PW­3 that on 24.11.2008 the new meter installed after the first inspection was also removed from the site vide seizure memo Ex. PW3/F on the written direction Ex. PW3/G.   He has proved   his complaint dt. 04.05.2009 Ex. PW2/I along­with the show cause notice given on 18.11.2008 to the   accused   as   Ex.   PW3/H.     Both   witnesses   have   correctly identified   the   case   property   as   Ex.   P­1   to   Ex.   P­3   as   well   as 13/22 accused.

17.    It has been argued on behalf of accused that meter in question was installed by the complainant company which was allegedly   declared   to     be   a   fake   meter.   However   no   rebuttal evidence in the defence of the accused has been led to prove that the   meter   in   question   was   installed     by   the   officials   of   the complainant company. As a matter of fact the accused earlier has filed a civil suit bearing no. 239/08 along­with documents and certified copy of the ordersheet, plaint, WS, replication and the annexed   documents   etc.   have   been   exhibited   as   Ex.   PW1/D1. Perusal   of   the   said   record   reveals   that   the   said   suit   was withdrawn   by   the   plaintiff/accused   herein   vide   order   dated 01.05.2010. Thus, even in the earlier suit filed on behalf of the plaintiff, plaintiff has failed to prove that the meter in question was   installed   at   the   inspected   premises   by   the   officials   of   the complainant   company.   Even   the   plaintiff   (and   the   accused herein) in the said suit has admitted the raid of the present case on 18.11.2008. Perusal of the record i.e. PW1/D1 reveals that the last payment qua the meter in question of regular bill was paid   on 09.05.2008 and as per accused the meter in question was   changed   by   the   officials   of   the   complainant   company   on 05.05.2008. Thus,  from the own record of the accused, it is clear that   since   the   month   of   May   2008,   there   was   no   regular   bill being   received.   It   is   also   clear   that   after   the   inspection   on 18.11.2008, the accused approached to the office of complainant 14/22 company   on 19.11.2008 and obtained a detailed bill showing the  dues of Rs.   10,926.67/­  with the arrears of Rs. 9705.68/­ (total of Rs. 20630/­). This conduct of the accused shows that he was well aware that there was no regular bill being generated. Further,   the   bill   dated   19.11.2008   annexed   with   the   record shows that it   was in respect to the original meter installed by the complainant company and not in respect to the fake meter which was found installed at the premises of accused at the time of inspection. Moreover in his plaint itself, it has been mentioned that the fake meter declared by the complainant company was not   the   fake   meter   but   was   belonging   to   the   complainant company   for   Laxmi   Nagar   Zone   and   this   information   was delivered to the accused herein by some of the officials of the complainant company. This itself shows that it was the accused who was in hand and glove with some unwanted persons and since   the   installation   of   the   fake   meter,   he   never   made   any complaint   to     the   complainant   company   for   not   receiving   the regular bill which corroborates that it was the accused who in connivance   with   unwanted   persons   in   place   of   the   original meter, installed the fake meter. Had it not been so, the accused must have approached to the complainant company for receiving the regular electricity bills after the alleged change of meter on 05.05.2008 when as per his own documents, there was regular bill for about Rs. 6000/­ to 15000/­ per month being   paid by him prior to the installation of fake meter.

18.  The   arguments   that   witnesses   of   complainant 15/22 company   have   admitted   that     the   meter   change   report   dated 05.05.2008 appears to be of the complainant company is of no help to the accused as the witnesses are neither the author of the documents nor they are alleged to have changed the meter of the accused on 05.05.2008.

19.    Further   even   if   for   the   sake   of   arguments,   it   is assumed that  meter of the accused was changed by the officials of the complainant company, there is no explanation on behalf of the accused as to how  all the meter seals were found tampered and   refixed,   body   found   opened   or   when   the   meter   was segregated in the presence of accused, one remote circuit was found connected inside the meter with PCB.  The witness PW­3 has categorically proved these facts in his testimony. He has also proved that on demand of electricity bill on the spot, the accused did not produce any electricity bill of the meter found installed at the time of inspection.   Even the last bill dated 19.11.2008 makes it clear that   it was not   in respect of   the fake meter. Perusal of the CD Ex. PW3/E makes it clear that the fake meter was segregated in the presence of the accused  and it was found containing   circuit   inside   the   meter   for   direct   electricity   theft. Thus, in these circumstances, the argument of the accused that no   lab   report   has   been   filed   on   record   or   that   there   is   no recovery of any external device  to prove the tampering in the meter   are   meritless.   When   the   meter   itself   was   found   in   its physical verification to be tampered with, the issue of sending 16/22 the meter to the lab for its testing becomes irrelevant as it is the practice only in case of suspected theft. Moreover when it was a fake meter, the question of sending the meter for lab testing to detect tampering in it was having no meaning. 

20.  Nothing   has   come   out   in   the   cross­examination   of any of the witnesses or there is nothing on record to dis­believe the   testimonies   of   PW­1  to  PW­4 as  their  testimony  remained unrebutted   and   unshakened   despite   lenghty   cross­examination conducted   on   behalf   of   the   accused.     Thus,   from   the   above testimonies of PWs, it is proved that at the inspected premises, there   was   electricity   theft   since   the   month   of   May   2008   by installing the fake meter by the accused who was tenant in the inspected premises and even the fake meter was found tampered by  remote circuit connected inside the fake meter with PCB. 

21. Thus,   the   Proviso­III   U/Sec.135   of   Electricity   Act, 2003 comes into operation and now it is for the accused to prove contrary   that   he   was   not   involved   in   electricity   theft   in   any manner being the consumer of the electricity.

22. The   law   on   the   point   of   rebuttal   is   well   settled. Rebuttal   of   presumption   is   to   be   established   from   a   "prudent men's test" making the court to believe the existence of defence of the accused. In other words, the accused is not supposed to prove his defence beyond reasonable doubt under the law and if 17/22 any     law   shift   the   burden   on   the   accused   to   rebut   the presumption, the extent of onus to be discharged by him, which has been answered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case titled as  "Hiten   P.   Dalal   Vs.   Bratindranath   Banjerjee"   cited   as 2001(6) SCC 16 in Para 20 as follows : ­ "Therefore, the rebuttal does not have to be conclusively   established   but   such   evidence must be adduced before the court in support of   the   defence   that   the   Court   must   either believe   the   defence   to   exist   or   consider   its existence   to   be   reasonably   probable,   the standard or reason ability being that of the "prudent man".

23.         No rebuttal evidence has been led in defence. Thus, in view of the aforesaid case law laid by the Hon'ble Supreme court, it can be safely held that accused has failed to rebutt the presumption   arising   against   him   under   the   Proviso­III   of   the Electricity   Act   that   he   was   involved   in   the   direct   theft   of electricity   on   the   date   of  inspection   at  the   inspected  premises when it has been proved on record that accused was very much present   at   the   inspected   premises   and   was   doing   the commercial/industrial   activity   without   having   any   valid licence/source of electricity to consume it since May 2008.  

24.   There is nothing on record to suggest that there was any   enmity   between   accused   and   officials   of   Complainant Company or he has been falsely implicated in the present case.

18/22

Moreover,   it   has  been categorically held in  judgment titled as "Punjab State Electricity Board & Anr. Vs. Ashwani Kumar" in Civil   Appeal   No.3505/07   alongwith   Civil   Appeal   No.,3506/07, decided on 08.07.2010, reported in 2010(7) SCC 569, which is reproduced for ready reference  :­ "The   report   prepared   by   the   Officer   of   the Electricity Board is an act done in discharge of their duties and could not be straight away reflected or dis­believe unless and until there was definite and cogent material on record to arrive at such a finding. It has been further observed   in   the   said   judgement   that   the inspection report is a document prepared in exercise of its official duty by the officers of the   corporation.     Once   an   act   is   done   in accordance   with   law,   the   presumption   is   in favour   of   such   act   or   document   and   not against   the   same.   Thus,   there   was   specific onus upon the consumer to rebut by leading proper   and   cogent   evidence   that   the   report prepared by the officers was not correct"

25. It   is   well   settled   principle   of   law   that   the   onus   to prove the false implication is on the person/accused who pleads false   implication.   In   the   present   case,   no   cogent   evidence   has been   brought   on   record   by   the   accused   that   he   was   falsely implicated.  The accused has taken a vague plea that he has been falsely implicated in the present case. During the evidence, the accused   was   duly   identified   by   the   witnesses.   Even   accused himself has admitted the inspection of the inspected premises in his presence and though he had denied that the fake meter was 19/22 not recording the consumption of unit but has failed to prove it.

26. It is to be noted that even living in the premises in question or to be present at the time of inspection with regard to theft of electricity is not necessary because of the very nature of the electricity as a substance. The presence of the accused at the spot at the time of commission of offence may be necessary like the   offence   of   pick­pocketing   but   for   the   theft   of   electricity, fixation or use of certain devices may be sufficient to continue the   theft   of   electricity   without   the   accused   being   personally present   there   and  electricity   as   a  stolen  material   is  consumed simultaneously. Electricity is not a tangible object and therefore, even   recovery   of   the   case   property   may  not   be   necessary   like other cases where the case property like jewellery, cash, motor vehicle   etc.   may   be   recovered.   Thus,   even   the   defence   like absence of the accused and non recovery of case property do not appeal in case of theft of electricity.

 

27. Further from the statement of the accused recorded U/sec.281 r/w Sec.313  Cr.P.C, it is clear that it is the accused in whose name meter was installed at the inspected premises at the time of inspection which was found removed and in place of the original   meter,   fake   meter   was   found   installed   and   though accused has stated that he will summon the record pertaining to fake meter but no such defence evidence was led. Thus, he has failed to rebutt the presumption arising against him. 

20/22

28.   There   is   no   dispute   regarding   registration   of   FIR Ex.PW­1/A.

29. Thus, in the light of aforesaid discussion, the defence raised   on   behalf   of   the   accused   appears   to   be   without   any substance. 

(H) CONCLUSION :

30. From the aforesaid discussion, it clearly appears that prosecution   has   established   from   the   cogent   evidence   that   an inspection was carried out on 18.11.2008 at the premises No. D­ 194, School Block, Nathu Colony, Delhi - 110 093 and that the said premises belongs to the accused; that there was electricity supply   through   fake   meter   which   was   got   installed   by   the accused  in  connivance  with his known persons on 05.05.2008 and   there   is   nothing   on   record   to   suggest   that   the   said   fake meter installed in the name of present accused was showing any consumption of unit and the load was connected from the said fake meter. Had it been so, the best way for the accused was to prove bills. But he failed to do so.  Thus, the State has been able to prove that there was direct theft of electricity by the present accused Vindesh Shukla at the time of inspection in the inspected premises.  

31.   In the light of the aforesaid discussion, it has been 21/22 proved   on   record   that   it   was   the   accused   who   was   directly involved in the electricity theft for running the industrial activity for a connected load of 21.312 KW and this fact has been proved beyond  any   resonable   doubt   from   the   testimony  of   PW­2  and PW­3 coupled with the seizure of illegal and fake meter from the inspected premises no. D­194, School Block, Nathu Colony, Delhi

- 110 093 as well as the CD placed on record and this theft was being   done   by   the   accused   from   05.05.2008   as   per   his   own admission of installation of the meter in question.  Accordingly, the accused  Vindesh Shukla is held guilty and convicted for the offence punishable u/sec 135 of the Electricity Act and is also held liable for the civil liabilities for using electricity illegally for industrial  purposes  under section  154(5) of the Electricity Act since 05.05.2008.

Main   file  be   consigned   to   record   room   after   due compliance as per rules. 

Ahlmad   to   prepare   the   misc.   file   for   the   purposes   of arguments on sentence.     

Be put up for arguments on sentence on 13.04.2018. Copy of judgment be given to the convict free of costs.

ANNOUNCED IN THE OPEN COURT
TODAY ON 09th APRIL, 2018               
                 Digitally signed by
DEVENDRA                   (DEVENDRA KUMAR SHARMA)
                 DEVENDRA
                 KUMAR SHARMA
KUMAR                   ASJ/ SPECIAL ELECTRICITY COURT
                 Location:
                 Karkardooma Court
SHARMA                  EAST DISTT./ KKD COURTS/DELHI
                 Date: 2018.04.09
                 16:08:44 +0530
(Total 22 no. of pages)
(One Spare copy is attached)  

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