Power theft accused seek anticipatory bail
Principal sessions court directed the police to file their reply
Chennai: Apprehending arrest, two persons allegedly involved in power theft of Rs44 lakh, approached a city court, seeking anticipatory bail. The principal sessions court directed the police to file their reply. According to the prosecution, G. Arumugam, 63, was running Karpagam Casting Works in Choolaimedu, for a few years, manufacturing aluminium utensils. While his son A. Raja, 37, was assisting him, R. Selvam, was an employee. He obtained a three-phase power connection for the unit.
On May 19, 2015, a vigilance team from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO), Saligramam, raided the company and found an electric meter malfunctioning. The team found that the trio had tampered with the meter and routed power by bypassing the meter. The team calculated that the company staff had used 3,45, 292 units of power, worth Rs 44.94 lakh, clandestinely.
The Choolaimedu police registered a case against Arumugam, Raja and Selvam under sections 135 (1), (b) and (d) of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003 and arrested Selvam.Arumugam and his son, who remained absconding, approached the court seeking anticipatory bail. When the matter came up before principal sessions judge N. Authinathan, city public prosecutor M.L. Jegan opposed the bail.
The judge ordered the police to file a detailed reply and adjourned the matter to June 4.