NEW DELHI: The steps leading to the house of Sambhal Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman were removed on Friday using a bulldozer as part of an “anti-encroachment” drive in the Deepa Sarai area, officials said.
A video of the action was shared widely on social media. Officials said that the drive, conducted with heavy security, is part of a 15-day campaign to clear public drains in the district.
Earlier in the day, the electricity department fined the MP Rs 1.91 crore and disconnected the power supply to his residence for alleged electricity theft, an official said.
Also read: Sambhal violence accused Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq slapped with Rs 1.9 crore fine for ‘electricity theft’
A police case was filed on Thursday against Zia Ur Rehman under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, for electricity theft. His father, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, was also booked for allegedly threatening officials during an inspection at their residence in Deepa Sarai of Sambhal district.
“An electricity inspection drive is underway in Sambhal even today. A fine of Rs 1.91 crore has been imposed on the MP by the Electricity Department, and the power supply to his residence has been disconnected,” Sambhal superintending engineer Vinod Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
According to the FIR by the electricity department, an inspection team found that electricity was being stolen by bypassing the meter, confirming illegal power use. The inspection at the MP’s residence took place on Thursday morning under heavy security.
The MP is also accused of inciting the November 24 violence during protests against a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in the Sambhal district. The clashes between protesters and police resulted in four deaths and left many injured.
The MP has filed a writ petition in the Allahabad high court requesting a stay on his arrest in connection with an FIR filed against him by the police related to the Sambhal violence. Barq has also sought the quashing of the FIR.
According to the police, Barq’s alleged provocative speech triggered the violence during the survey at the mosque.
Meanwhile, superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said that on Thursday morning, an inspection team led by electricity department official Santosh Tripathi was tasked with checking power equipment in Deepa Sarai. During the inspection, Barq allegedly abused engineers V.K. Gangal and Ajay Kumar Sharma and obstructed their work. Bishnoi quoted Barq as saying, “The dispensation will change and we will ruin you.” The electricity department recorded the incident on video.
A police case has been registered at Nakhasa police station against Barq and two others, Wasim and Salman, under relevant laws, Bishnoi said.
Vinod Kumar said that the MP’s house had two electricity connections, both of two kilowatts—one in Zia Ur Rehman’s name and the other in his late grandfather’s name. Two days ago, smart meters were installed at the residence, but the meters showed zero unit consumption in the past six months. During the inspection, a 16.48-kilowatt load was found. Tests showed that both meters had been tampered with.
Ajay Sharma and VK Gangal, the engineers who conducted the check, reported being threatened by Barq during the inspection. A complaint has been filed with the police regarding this, the official added.
