Pune, Maharashtra – The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation Limited (MSEDCL) has filed a formal complaint with the Pune City Police after two of its female employees were allegedly locked inside a building and subjected to a dog attack by a couple. The dispute arose when the MSEDCL employees attempted to disconnect the power supply of a consumer in the Deccan area due to unpaid bills.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday when Karuna Adhari and Rupali Kate, both employees of MSEDCL, arrived at the residence of Arti Lalit Bode to disconnect the power supply. The consumer, Arti Bode, had accumulated a pending bill of Rs 5,203. Upon disconnecting the power supply, an argument ensued between the MSEDCL employees and Arti Bode, along with her husband, Lali Bode.
Despite the MSEDCL employees’ requests for an online payment of the outstanding bill, the Bode couple insisted on settling it with a cheque. However, the MSEDCL staff clarified that field personnel cannot accept cheque payments. As tensions escalated, the MSEDCL employees decided to leave the premises.
At this point, Lali Bode and the building’s watchman allegedly locked the safety door of the staircase, effectively trapping the MSEDCL employees inside the building. To make matters worse, they unleashed a dog on the two women. Fearing for their safety, the MSEDCL employees promptly contacted their office, which in turn alerted the local police station.
After being held captive for over two hours, the MSEDCL employees were finally rescued with the assistance of the local police. In response to the incident, MSEDCL has lodged a formal complaint against Lalit Bode and Arti Bode, invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). Additionally, sections 106 and 117 of the Maharashtra Police Act have been applied.
The investigation into this matter is currently underway, with law enforcement authorities working to gather evidence and ascertain the circumstances surrounding this alarming incident.
