Chandigarh20 minutes ago
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Punjab’s IAS Sanjay Popli, who was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance in the corruption case, has got another setback. The Chandigarh Consumer Court, while allowing an appeal case, has asked Popli to pay the outstanding electricity bill of Rs 1.23 lakh. This order has been given to Popli while accepting the appeal case of Chandigarh Electricity Department.
The matter is related to 15 years old electricity bill. Earlier, Popli’s lawyer had told the court that in the year 2004, he was allotted a house number 520 in Sector 11. He was allotted house number 735 in Sector 7C. In December 2003, he surrendered the house as he was transferred to Ferozepur.
Popley was surprised that he received a bill of Rs 1,18,306 (1,06,432 sundry charge) on May 28, 2019. It was from February 25, 2019 to April 25, 2019. In this the old reading was showing Rs 42,174 and the new reading was 44,354. In such a situation, the total consumption of electricity was 2,180 units.
Relief from lower court
Popli was informed by the Electricity Department that an amount of Rs 48,681 is pending since 2004. Popli alleged that the annual surcharge was also added to it without informing him. In such a situation, the Chandigarh District Consumer Commission, while accepting the complaint of Popli, rejected the demand of UT of Rs 1.23 lakh. An appeal was filed against this decision by the Executive Engineer of Chandigarh Electricity Department.
In the appeal case, the Chandigarh State Consumer Commission said that as per the ledger entry submitted by the Electricity Department, outstanding arrears at Popli were persistent. In such a situation, finding the decision of the lower commission wrong, the State Commission gave this decision. The commission said that it was proved that there were pending dues of Popli. These were pending for a period of 6 months and the dues were transferred to another installation (installation of meters) of the same consumer (popli). Under Clause 7.40 of the Supply Code Regulation Clause, the department has the right to recover the pending dues.
The arrest was made on June 21.
Popley was arrested on June 21. 12 kg gold, 3 kg silver, 5 expensive mobiles, 2 smart watches were found from his Chandigarh Sector 11 Kothi during the search. During the vigilance search, Popli’s son committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. Popli was accused of demanding 1 per cent bribe for clearing a tender for laying sewerage pipe in Nawanshahr.