The Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has revealed a staggering number of electricity theft cases in the state, with 23,494 instances detected in just the first nine months of the current financial year. The power utility made the announcement on Sunday, detailing its ongoing crackdown on illegal consumption from April to December 2025.
Scale of Theft and Financial Recovery
Officials stated that the thefts were carried out through various illegal methods, including direct hooking from lines, bypassing meters, and tampering with metering devices. This rampant pilferage represents a massive revenue loss for the state's power distribution company.
However, JBVNL's enforcement efforts have yielded significant financial recovery. Penalties worth Rs 2,672.17 lakh (over ₹26.7 crore) were recovered in these theft cases during the past year. The legal machinery was set in motion aggressively, with a total of 21,902 First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged from March to October 2025 alone.
The cumulative assessed amount in these FIRs stood at a massive Rs 4,294.94 lakh (over ₹42.9 crore). January 2025 saw the highest number of FIRs at 3,162, followed by March with 2,834 and February with 2,693 cases. The lowest registrations were in October (858) and September (976).
Statewide Raids and Continuous Enforcement
As part of a continuous enforcement strategy, JBVNL conducts regular state-level anti-power theft campaigns. In a major two-day operation on Friday and Saturday, the Anti-Power Theft (APT) wing from the headquarters launched a sweeping raid.
119 inspection teams, comprising officers up to the regional level, scrutinized 7,826 premises across Jharkhand. The drive was highly effective, detecting electricity theft at 1,154 locations. FIRs were registered under the relevant provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003, with the assessed amount from this raid totalling Rs 182.73 lakh.
Officials highlighted that from April to October 2025, a total of 18,830 premises were booked for power theft. These intensive anti-theft drives are a monthly feature, conducted for approximately five days each month from the headquarters level.
Legal Consequences and Public Appeal
In confirmed cases of theft, the corporation follows a strict protocol: imposing heavy penalties, disconnecting the power connection, and initiating legal action. The provisions under the law can lead to imprisonment of up to five years.
Shravan Kumar, the General Manager (Anti-Power Theft) at JBVNL, emphasized the importance of these measures. "The raids are carried out every month," he stated. He explained that preventing power theft is not just about recovering revenue; it is crucial for conserving financial resources and, more importantly, ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply for all legitimate consumers.
Kumar affirmed that the corporation would persist with its state-level enforcement drives, focusing on stricter implementation of the Electricity Act and promoting greater accountability among consumers.
The utility has also made a public appeal, urging consumers to refrain from electricity theft. To encourage community participation, JBVNL has established a confidential channel for reporting theft. Information related to power theft in urban and rural areas, factories, shops, and other establishments across all 24 districts of Jharkhand can be shared via WhatsApp or message. Details should be sent with the complete address to the General Manager (Anti-Power Theft) at 9431135515. The identity and contact details of informants are kept strictly confidential.
