Bhadrak, June 23 (UDN): An employee of Tata Power North Odisha Distribution Limited (TPNODL) was allegedly assaulted during an enforcement drive against illegal electricity usage in Chandipur village under Bonth police limits in Bhadrak district on Sunday.
According to a police complaint, a TPNODL enforcement team had visited the village following information about an alleged unauthorised “hook” connection being used to draw electricity illegally from the distribution network.
During the inspection, officials reportedly found a household involved in power theft, despite earlier instances of penalties being imposed on the same consumer for similar violations.
The consumer has been identified as Mir Sultana Khatun. Her family had allegedly been penalised on two previous occasions for electricity theft.
An argument is said to have broken out between enforcement staff member Jayakrushna Padhiari and members of the household during the inspection, which later escalated into a physical altercation. Padhiari was allegedly assaulted by several individuals from the family.
Following the incident, TPNODL officials lodged a complaint with police. Acting on the complaint filed by Deepak Kumar Mohanty, Assistant Executive Engineer of TPNODL’s Bhadrak Circle, Bonth police registered a case (196/26) and initiated an investigation.
Police have named Mir Abdul Hasim, husband of Mir Sultana Khatun, along with other family members, in connection with the alleged assault.
Further investigation is underway.
