Sambhal News: Troubles are going to increase for Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq from Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh . Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has registered a case of alleged electricity theft against the Samajwadi Party MP. Earlier, on November 24, the police had registered a case against Barq for allegedly instigating protesters during the violence that broke out in connection with the survey in Shahi Jama Masjid.

What is the allegation?

Santosh Tripathi, sub divisional officer (SDO) of Sambhal, said, 'The MP has been charged with electricity theft under Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1948. He lives in a three-storey house in Deepa Sarai area. On inspecting the property, we found only two 2KW capacity electricity meters, while a house of that size generally requires at least 8 to 10 kW to run its appliances. We have removed both the meters and served a notice to the MP.'

Meter reading is zero since last six months

A team from the local electricity department reached the MP's house at 7 am on Thursday with heavy police force and stayed for an hour. They said that they found several irregularities related to power supply at the residence. Tripathi said, 'The electricity meter registered in the name of the MP has been showing zero reading for the last six months since July this year. In other months of the year, the meter reading has never been more than 100 units. There are fans, air conditioners and other electrical appliances in the house, so it is unbelievable that the meter has zero reading.'

'No bias'

Sambhal's Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra said that the raid at the MP's house today was part of the ongoing campaign against illegal electricity connections. She said, 'There is no question of bias in this matter.' Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shreesh Chandra said that the electricity corporation employees had sought police help before raiding the MP's house and the police ensured their safety during the operation.

What is the MP's view?

The MP's lawyer Qasim Jamal said that there are two meters installed in the house, each of which has a capacity of 4 kilowatts. The lawyer said, 'Apart from two meters, a 5 kilowatt generator and a 10 kilowatt solar panel are also installed in the house. We will present these facts in the court.'