Bhadrak: An enforcement team was injured after being allegedly attacked during an inspection drive against electricity theft in Chandipur area under Padhanpada gram panchayat in Bonth police station limits of Bhadrak district on Monday, police said.
According to reports, the household concerned had earlier been accused of drawing electricity through illegal bypass connections and had been fined on two separate occasions. Despite the penalties, irregularities were allegedly found to be continuing, prompting another inspection visit by officials.
On Monday, officials from the TATA Power enforcement team reached the residence following fresh complaints of power theft. However, the situation reportedly escalated during the inspection when members of the household allegedly attacked the team with sticks, injuring some of the officials on the spot.
Following the incident, the Electricity Department lodged a complaint at Bonth police station against the accused persons. Police registered a case (Case No. 196) and named three persons in connection with the assault.
Bhadrak Additional Superintendent of Police Arup Abhishek Behera confirmed the incident and stated that the enforcement team had visited the village based on prior complaints regarding electricity theft. He added that during the inspection, the team was allegedly assaulted by members of the family involved.
Police have launched an investigation into the matter and indicated that further legal action, including arrests, is likely to follow soon.
Further investigation is underway.
