December 19th 2024.
Sambhal: In a recent development, the Samajwadi Party's MP from Sambhal, Ziaur Rehman Barq, has been accused of electricity theft at his residence in the Deepa Sarai neighborhood. This incident has led to his booking by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The police have also booked his father, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, for allegedly threatening government officials during the inspection by the power department.
According to the FIR filed by a power department official, the meter at the MP's residence was found to be tampered with, resulting in electricity theft. The department conducted the inspection on Thursday morning, with heavy security in place. This action was taken as the MP is among those accused in the November 24 violence that took place during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area of the city.
The MP has filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court, seeking a stay on his arrest and the quashing of the FIR against him. He has been accused of instigating the people on November 24, leading to the violence. However, in his plea, the MP has maintained his innocence, stating that he was wrongly implicated in the matter. His counsel has also pointed out that he was not present at the site of the incident, yet he has been named as an accused in the FIR.
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi informed the media that the incident took place at 7:30 am when an engineer from the electricity department, Santosh Tripathi, went to check the equipment at the residence of the MP's father, Mamlukur Rehman Barq. It was during this inspection that Mamlukur Rehman Barq allegedly threatened the engineers, obstructed their work, and made derogatory remarks. The entire incident was recorded by the electricity department.
A case has been filed against Mamlukur Rehman Barq and two others, Wasim and Salman, at the Nakhasa police station under relevant provisions of the law. Vinod Kumar, the power department's superintending engineer in Sambhal, stated that the MP's residence had two electricity connections, one in his name and the other in his grandfather's name. However, when the department installed smart meters two days ago, it was found that both the meters had been tampered with. The engineers who conducted the inspection were also allegedly threatened by the MP's father, leading to a separate complaint being filed against him.
When asked about the heavy security deployment in the neighborhood, Additional Superintendent of Police Shirish Chandra clarified that it was at the request of the electricity department for a safe and smooth inspection. Advocate Qasim Jamal, representing the MP, also stated that the family's electricity consumption was minimal, with only four family members living in the house and a setup that included two air conditioners, six-seven ceiling fans, a refrigerator, and lights.
The advocate also expressed concerns about the heavy security presence, stating that it was an attempt to tarnish the family's image. The police, along with PAC and Rapid Action Force personnel, were deployed in the neighborhood during the inspection. This incident has raised questions about the MP's involvement in the November 24 violence and the allegations against him. The matter is currently being investigated by the authorities, and the MP has maintained his innocence in the case.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
