SP MP Zia-Ur-Rahman Barq, key accused in Sambhal violence case, booked for electricity theft

A team of UP Electricity Department carried out an inspection at Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Barq's residence. (Image: ANI)

A team of Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department officials, along with security personnel, searched Samajwadi Party's (SP) Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Barq's residence on Thursday over allegations of irregularities in power usage. They also filed a case of electricity theft against the lawmaker.

Evidence of tampering was found in two electricity meters at the MP's house during the search, according to officials, India Today reported. A case has been registered under section 135 of the anti-power theft act.

#WATCH | Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: A team from State Electricity Department, along with a large number of security personnel, arrives at the residence of SP MP Zia ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal. The State Electricity Department has flagged irregularities in electricity usage at the pic.twitter.com/Y8eLXbXf1M

ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024

Shrish Chandra, Additional SP Sambhal, told ANI, "State Electricity Department has filed an FIR regarding electricity theft (against Zia ur Rehman Barq)...The department has also informed that during the checking at the residence (of Zia ur Rehman Barq), his father made a threat to a member of the team... Evidence is being collected in this regard after which an FIR will be filed and action will be taken...for now, one FIR has been lodged (regarding electricity theft), and the other (regarding the threat by the father of Zia ur Rehman Barq) will be filed after getting the evidence..."

Also Read | Lalu Prasad lashes out at Amit Shah amid 'Ambedkar' row: 'He should quit, leave politics'

According to the Additional SP, Barq's father also threatened a member of the team who reached the MP's residence to carry out the inspection and action will be taken.

Earlier, the electricity department had removed old meters from the MP's house and sent them to a lab for testing. Thursday's inspection was carried out to check the readings of the new meters and irregularities were found.

Zia ur Rehman Barq is also the prime accused in a violence that erupted over a mosque survey in Sambhal on November 24. The violence erupted after a group opposed a court-ordered survey of a mosque. The clashes led to the deaths of four people.

The Uttar Pradesh Police accused Barq of orchestrating the violence for political gains and claimed it was his speeches that incited the mob. The MP has opposed the charges and has alleged that the BJP was behind the violence.

(With inputs from agencies)