FAISALABAD: Jaranwala City police station was caught stealing electricity from the direct supply line of the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco). Instead of moving against the station, Fesco officials hushed up the matter and took no action.

Sources told Dawn that Fesco officials had been informed that the police station was stealing electricity and video evidence had also been provided to the sub-divisional officer (SDO) concerned. But the SDO told the complainant that he would contact his officials to get the necessary instructions on the matter.

A police official claimed that the station house officer concerned had been suspended from service and a probe into the issue would be launched.

A Fesco spokesperson said the meter of the police station had developed a fault and the company had removed it to replace it with a new one. The police station had connected a wire with the direct Fesco system after disconnection of the meter. He said the new meter had been installed and power restored.

Fesco sources said that under any circumstances police officials or any other department was not authorised to connect with the main power supply lines. The police station was found involved in stealing electricity, they added. They said their officials were not ready to move against the police fearing that the move could irk police officials, who would not cooperate with them in the future.

Fesco officials neither imposed any fine on the police station nor moved any application for registration of a case. “We used to impose fines on pilferers, but in this case, no action has been taken, which will hurt Fesco’s image,” they added.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2019