Pune rural police have registered a case against two individuals for financial fraud related to tampering with the electricity meter of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) while impersonating its employees.
The incident came to light during the supervision of meter readings at the residence of Ambika Chander Chavan in Dhobi Mala, near the Manchar market yard in Ambegaon taluka. Discrepancies were discovered when the customer number and meter number provided by MSEDCL did not match the computerized system.
Upon physical inspection by MSEDCL Manchar Branch Assistant Engineer Sanjay Barhate and his colleagues, it was revealed that a meter from another company had been installed instead of the authorized MSEDCL meter.
Chander Dharam Chavan, the electricity consumer, reported that two individuals, Ganesh Mahadev Indore and Praveen Pachpute, claimed to be MSEDCL employees and took Rs 7,500 to change the meter. They assured a reduction in monthly electricity bills. However, it was later discovered that both individuals were impostors who replaced the official meter with another.
In response to this fraudulent activity, MSEDCL filed a complaint at Manchar Police Station. The police have registered a case under sections 170 (impersonating a public servant), 420 (cheating), 427 (mischief causing damage), 136 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), and 34 (common intention) against Ganesh Mahadev Indore and Praveen Pachpute.
Chief Engineer Rajendra Pawar of Pune Circle warned the public against fraudulent practices and urged them not to respond to individuals making financial demands in exchange for reducing electricity consumption or altering meters. He advised people to report such incidents to the concerned MSEDCL office promptly.
