EX-AKALI MLA VALTOHA BOOKED FOR POWER THEFT

PATIALA: Former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA from Khemkaran Virsa Singh Valtoha has been booked for power theft on the complaint of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

A team comprising PSPCL officials and police personnel raided a house belonging to Valtoha in Amarkot Town of Tarn Taran district and found power being drawn directly from the transmission line through a kundi connection. The team also slapped a fine of ₹1.91 lakh on Valtoha.

As per officials privy to the matter, there was zero power consumption at Valtoha’s house for the last 18 months. The team led by additional superintending engineer RK Goyal raided the house when the family members were not present there. The SAD leader and his family stay in Amritsar.

In the FIR lodged at the antipower theft police station, SDO Lovepreet Singh said the house has single-phase power connection, but three-phase power supply was being drawn illegally. The team has seized the wire that being used for stealing theft. The team also found that Valtoha’s house used 11.40KW against a sanctioned load of 4.5KW.

PSPCL chief engineer for border zone Pardip Saini said an FIR has been lodged and if the guilty fails to pay the compounding fee, he will be arrested.

Meanwhile, Valtoha said it’s a political vendetta and an attempt to suppress his voice. “Ever since Congress has come to power, I am facing FIRs. My house is locked for two years and I am residing in Amritsar. We will take legal measures against it.”