KUSHINAGAR – A multi-crore electricity bill manipulation scheme has been unearthed in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, leaving thousands of consumers in limbo and exposing a deep-rooted network of corruption. At the heart of the scandal is the private assistant of a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), who, armed with the SDO’s official login credentials, allegedly orchestrated a massive fraud involving the arbitrary adjustment of electricity bills. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting an investigation and leaving countless residents grappling with reinstated dues.
The Architect of Deception
The alleged mastermind behind the extensive fraud is the private assistant to a former SDO. Entrusted with the SDO’s official ID and password for legitimate bill corrections, the assistant reportedly exploited this access for illicit gains. Collaborating with local linemen and other departmental employees, the assistant is accused of systematically altering electricity bills, frequently reducing them to zero for consumers who paid only half their actual outstanding amounts. This intricate web of deceit allowed the group to siphon off substantial sums, impacting both public revenue and consumer trust.
A Startling Discovery Post-Transfer
The elaborate scheme came to light only after the SDO, whose credentials were used, was transferred. Upon reviewing his official ID post-relocation, the SDO made a startling discovery that approximately ₹2 crores in electricity bills had been fraudulently adjusted without his knowledge or authorization. This realization immediately pointed towards a significant breach of trust and a widespread fraudulent operation that had been meticulously hidden.
Fallout and Public Outcry
The fallout from the exposed scam has been immediate and chaotic. Following the discovery, the former SDO took swift action to rectify the fraud, reactivating all the illegally adjusted bills. This decision, while necessary, has led to immense distress among consumers who believed their dues were settled after paying a reduced amount. These consumers are now confronting the linemen and other employees who facilitated the adjustments, demanding answers and accountability. The implicated linemen and employees, in turn, are reportedly scrambling to locate the now-elusive private assistant, highlighting the widespread involvement and the desperate search for the prime culprit.
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Official Response and Lingering Questions
The scandal has drawn the attention of senior officials. Superintending Engineer Rakesh Mohan, though previously unaware of the specifics, has vowed to launch a thorough investigation and take stringent action against all those found guilty. Similarly, newly appointed officials, including the new XEN of Hata and the new SDO of the Ramkola sub-center, have acknowledged their limited initial information but have committed to inquiring into the matter. The incident underscores critical vulnerabilities in the billing system and raises pressing questions about oversight, accountability, and the measures needed to prevent such large-scale frauds in the future.