In a startling revelation from the border district of Jaisalmer, a highly organized and large-scale electricity theft operation has been uncovered, pointing to deep-rooted corruption and suspected collusion within the power distribution company itself. The elaborate illegal network, designed to support unauthorized farming on government land, was exposed following a raid by the region's discom vigilance team.
The Raid That Uncovered a Sophisticated Network
Acting on a specific tip-off, the vigilance team conducted a raid in the Hansuwala area of Ghotaru. What they discovered left even experienced officials in shock. The team found an unauthorized 11 KV power line stretching nearly five kilometres across the challenging terrain of sand dunes. This was not a makeshift arrangement; the illegal infrastructure was substantial, involving about 95 electricity poles and transformers, all property of the state electricity corporation.
The sheer scale and use of official materials immediately raised red flags about insider involvement. The vigilance officials noted that such a massive quantity of government-owned equipment could not have been transported and installed without the knowledge or active support of some discom personnel. This incident has cast a shadow over the department's internal controls.
Modus Operandi: From Land Grab to Power Theft
Investigations revealed that the electricity theft was a critical component of a larger illegal operation. The nexus followed a calculated method: first, they would occupy government land near the border. Then, they would divert water from canals to fill unauthorized storage tanks. The final step was to steal electricity using the discom's own poles and cables to power pumps for illegal cultivation on the encroached land.
The raid itself was not without drama. As the vigilance team and police approached the site, their vehicles got stuck in the sand. Seizing this momentary delay, some individuals on-site attempted to uproot the transformers and flee with them. However, assistant engineer Mohit Bharti and his team gave chase for five kilometres and successfully seized two of the illegal transformers. The operation continued throughout the day, underscoring the vastness of the illicit setup.
Fallout, Investigations, and a Troubling Pattern
The financial impact of this theft is severe, causing a significant revenue loss estimated at several lakhs of rupees every month. While early investigations hint at the involvement of influential local figures, their identities remain undisclosed as the probe deepens.
A primary concern for authorities is tracing how the official materials were siphoned off. Officials stated that a thorough review of the discom's inventory records is expected to reveal the names of those involved in supplying the poles and cables. This case is likely to put senior officials under scrutiny, especially since a junior engineer and a clerk were suspended from the same sub-division last year for similar irregularities.
The legal process has been set in motion under Section 150 of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003, which provides for action against government officers and employees found complicit. The bust in Jaisalmer's border area exposes a brazen challenge to infrastructure and governance, demanding stringent accountability and systemic checks to prevent such audacious thefts in the future.
