Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has collected a staggering ₹41.14 crore in penalties over the last financial year. The enforcement drive, spearheaded by the Anti-Power Theft Squad, led to 31,213 inspections that uncovered 288 cases of power theft and 4,252 instances of electricity misuse.
One defaulter even faces criminal prosecution for failing to settle the penalty. The crackdown continued into April and May 2025, with 4,149 inspections unearthing 30 theft cases and 779 misuse cases, adding another ₹9.38 crore in fines.
Electricity theft is not just unethical—it’s a criminal offence. Under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, offenders risk disconnection, arrest under non-bailable charges, and imprisonment of up to three years. However, individuals who voluntarily confess and pay the penalty can avoid prosecution—though KSEB warns that this one-time relief won’t be extended again.
In an effort to strengthen public participation in curbing power theft, KSEB is offering rewards up to ₹50,000 to informants. If the reported offence leads to full recovery of the penalty and resolution of appeals, the whistleblower is entitled to 5% of the recovered amount (excluding compounding charges), capped at ₹50,000. Importantly, the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
Citizens can report incidents of power theft to nearby KSEB section offices or contact the Anti-Power Theft Squad at Thiruvananthapuram Electricity Bhavan. Reports can also be submitted via WhatsApp or by calling the emergency number 9496010101.
This bold initiative aims to create a culture of accountability and public vigilance, reinforcing the message that power theft won’t go unnoticed—or unpunished.
