Kerala power squad uncovers ₹3.14 crore in suspected electricity theft

The Kerala State Electricity Board’s Anti Power Theft Squad has uncovered suspected electricity theft valued at ₹3.14 crore during inspections in Ernakulam district. The special drive was conducted by the squad’s Kollam unit, according to the KSEB. In Maradu, officials found that a high-tension consumer authorised for a connected load of 50 kilowatts had an illegal connection of 260 kilowatts.

The connection was allegedly being used to supply electricity to 145 shops while bypassing the KSEB meter. The report did not identify the consumer or say whether any arrest or prosecution had followed the discovery. In a separate case in Kalamassery municipality, the squad found an establishment drawing an excess load of 850 kilowatts.

The connection had been authorised for only 450 kilowatts. Officials said electricity from that connection was also being supplied to mobile towers operated by BSNL and Airtel. The report did not provide details of the financial assessment in either case beyond the total value cited for the suspected theft uncovered during the district inspections.

The KSEB’s Chief Vigilance Officer said similar inspections would continue across Kerala in the coming days. The board did not provide a timetable for the next operations. The discoveries concern both unauthorised connections and electricity use beyond approved load limits.

In the Maradu case, the alleged arrangement involved supply to numerous shops through a connection that bypassed the board’s meter. In Kalamassery, officials identified a substantial difference between the approved and recorded load. The source material did not state whether the affected connections had been disconnected or whether the consumers had been given an opportunity to respond.