Jagran Correspondent, Noida | Two senior police officials involved in the investigation of the alleged Rs 1,600 crore electricity fraud case were suspended. Noida Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh ordered the suspension of the ACP and the Sector 63 police station in-charge after they failed to complete the investigation within the stipulated timeframe or arrest the kingpin.

Sources said the police probe did not reach the accused Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) officials, electricity mafia, and contractors involved in the scam. FIRs were filed against only 21 individuals, while it is suspected that the a large syndicate is behind the fraud of Rs 1,600 crore.

ALSO READ: Greater Noida Tragedy: 11-Year-Old Son And Father Die After Falling From 23rd Floor Of Residential Building

What Is The Noida Electricity Scam?

A large number of illegal colonies, built in the Harnandi floodplain in Noida and Greater Noida, were provided electricity without permission. The power mafia and contractors, with the support of some UPPCL officials, erected wooden poles and laid cable lines in the floodplain. They stole electricity from government power lines and supplied it to illegal houses built in the illegal colonies. Homeowners were charged between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 per month.

Around Rs 50 Crore Per Month Illegally Collected

The monthly collection was approximately Rs 50 crore rupees. This money was not deposited into the government treasury; it went into the pockets of UPPCL officials, the mafia, and contractors. Police named only those who involved in collecting bills from homeowners and erecting wooden poles to create parallel telegraph lines. But the names of those who swallowed crores have yet to be revealed.

ALSO READ: FDs Broken, Land Compensation Syphoned Off: CBI To Probe Rs 35 Crore-Greater Noida PNB Fraud, Entire Staff Suspended

Manoj Singh, CEO of the State Transformation Commission, investigated the matter and revealed that 13,000 illegal connections were provided in the colonies. The amount collected from connection holders in the form of electricity bills was estimated at Rs 1,600 crore. However, it is suspected that there were 60,000 illegal connections in the area.

Sources indicated that the money collected from people went into the pockets of 18 mafia and contractors. Some senior UPPCL officials also received a share, but their names were not included in the FIR.

Only Two Persons Arrested In The Case

Only two persons have been arrested in such a large-scale scam. Action against big names is still awaited. Sources said that by taking action against only 21 individuals, attempts are being made to protect big names.

(With Inputs from Kumar Dharmendra)