THANE: A top official from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited ( MSEDCL ) was suspended on Wednesday for his active role in encouraging power thefts and causing loss to the power distribution company.Additional executive engineer Anand Rathod from the Shul sub-division has been suspended for 'favouring' a commercial power consumer and causing loss of revenue exceeding Rs three lakhs to the MSEDCL.It is learnt that Rathod, along with his team, raided the commercial premises in Shil owned by one Pyari Begum Mohammad Munir on July 16 who had leased it to one Wasim Siddhique.“The meter readings revealed a clear theft of 23,826 units for the period of 24 months and the billed amount was over Rs 3 lakhs,” said a MSEDCL source.Subsequently, an offence of power theft was registered by an assistant engineer with the Mumbra Police Station on August 16, 2018 under section-135 of Electricity Act. However, it is learnt that Rathod modified the bills using his powers under section 135 on August 23 and reduced it to 4376 units for 6 Months and even slashed the amount to Rs 77,190, said the official.“Ideally, after filing an FIR one is not supposed to tamper the amount or reduce it hence he was held responsible and placed under suspension after conducting an internal inquiry,” said Pushpa Chavan, chief engineer, Bhandup engineer.Locals from Mumbra-Shil alleged that the MSEDCL officials are turning blind-eye to the huge power theft by commercial establishments in the area by using the same modus-operandi they are giving a safe passage out to the offenders.

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