A Special Electricity Court located in Saket, New Delhi, has imposed a fine of Rs 1.72 lakh on Kuldeep, a domestic consumer, for committing electricity theft. The incident is reported to have occurred in the Kishan Garh area of Delhi. According to court documents, the convict allegedly caused a financial loss exceeding Rs 57,000 through his actions. The court determined the fine as being three times the actual loss incurred by the electricity provider.

On April 8, Special Judge (Electricity) Vivek Kumar Gulia ordered that Kuldeep be fined Rs 1,72,416 under Section 135 of the Electricity Act. The court remarked that the minimum fine should reflect at least three times the economic benefit gained from the electricity theft. The actual loss sustained by the complainant was established at Rs 57,472, which formed the basis for the fine imposed against the convict.

In addition to the monetary penalty, the court stipulated that should Kuldeep fail to pay the fine, he would face a simple imprisonment term of six months. This order aims to underline the seriousness of electricity theft and its impact on public funds.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing Factors

The sentencing phase included arguments from both legal representatives. Advocate Atul Jain, representing the complainant BSES Rajdhani, asserted that severe penalties should be enforced to deter electricity theft, which he described as a direct financial burden on public resources. Jain further argued that such illegal activities ultimately obstruct the economic prosperity of the country.

Conversely, the defense counsel for Kuldeep urged the court to consider a more lenient approach, citing the convict’s family responsibilities, including his wife and two minor children. The defence also highlighted Kuldeep’s clean criminal record, suggesting that this should be taken into account when determining the sentence.

During the investigation, it was determined that Kuldeep had illegally utilised electricity with a connected load of 6.734 kW for personal use. In response to this illicit consumption, a bill amounting to Rs 1,27,619 was issued for the electricity theft.

Civil Liability and Recovery Order

The court additionally addressed the issue of civil liability, ordering Kuldeep to pay Rs 90,344 to the complainant in relation to the energy theft. This amount was intended to compensate BSES Rajdhani for the loss incurred due to Kuldeep’s illegal activities. The ruling specified that recovery of this sum would be treated as if it were a decree issued by a civil court, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of the offence.

The court’s directives regarding civil liability were also delivered on April 8, aligning with the overall ruling concerning the monetary penalty against the convict. Kuldeep has been granted bail, enabling him to appeal the judgement before the High Court.

On April 6, 2026, Kuldeep was formally convicted under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, which governs offences related to electricity theft in India. The court’s decisions reflect broader concerns about the consequences of electricity theft and its implications for public finances.

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