Zero bill, tampered meters, 8x load: Samajwadi Party's Sambhal MP fined Rs 1.9 crore for power theft

Barq's family members claimed they have installed a 10 kW solar panel and 5 kW generator in the house - with which the MP's house can take up to 19 kW electricity load. However, the Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department said that the solar panels at the residence were not working, reported NDTV.

The electrical appliances found at Barq's residence during the searches included over 50 LED bulbs, a deep freezer, three split ACs, 2 fridges, a coffee maker, a geyser, and a microwave oven.

Notably, the electricity bill at the residence of the Samajwadi Party MP, who also serves as the Chairman of the District Electricity Committee, was zero for the past six months.

"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," said Shrish Chandra, Additional SP, Sambhal.

Notably, Barq is also the prime accused in the clashes that erupted over a mosque survey in Sambhal on November 24, leading to the death of four people.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had then accused Barq of orchestrating the violence for political gains and claimed it was his speeches that incited the mob. However, the MP has denied the charges and accused the BJP of orchestrating the violence.