Mumbai’s power utilities are stepping up action against electricity theft, but recovering the money assessed from offenders remains a major challenge.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has detected thousands of power theft cases across the island city over the past two years. However, a large portion of the penalties imposed remains unpaid, adding to the financial pressure on the cash-strapped utility.
According to BEST data, the undertaking registered 3,669 electricity theft cases over the past two years and assessed penalties amounting to around Rs 54.25 crore.
Of this amount, BEST has recovered only Rs 12.02 crore, leaving approximately Rs 42.23 crore outstanding. This translates into a recovery rate of just 22%, with nearly 78% of the assessed amount still pending.
The cases have been reported across several parts of Mumbai, covering residential settlements, commercial areas and industrial establishments.
The F-North ward, covering areas such as Matunga, Sion and Wadala, reported the highest number of detections, with 1,225 electricity theft cases. Around Rs 6.5 crore remains to be recovered from these cases.
Neighbouring G-North, which includes Dharavi, Mahim and Dadar, recorded 1,013 cases, with unpaid dues estimated at Rs 12.3 crore.
In the E ward, covering Byculla and surrounding areas, BEST detected 511 cases, while the unrecovered amount stood at approximately Rs 14.9 crore.
Power theft-related dues have also remained pending in more affluent areas. Colaba, Fort and Churchgate together account for around Rs 1.6 crore in unpaid penalties.
BEST officials have faced difficulties in recovering assessed amounts even after detecting illegal electricity use.
In several cases, consumers reportedly pay an initial portion of the penalty to have their electricity supply restored through an instalment arrangement, but subsequently stop making payments.
Another challenge arises when allegedly tampered meters are seized during inspections. Some consumers abandon their electricity connections rather than clear the dues, leaving BEST to pursue recovery through lengthy legal proceedings.
A BEST committee panel has recommended strengthening the recovery system, speeding up legal action and taking more aggressive steps to collect outstanding amounts.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has intensified its anti-power-theft operations in its jurisdiction.
During a special drive in August 2026, the CBD Belapur Sub-Division detected 22 cases of electricity theft in CBD Belapur and Ulwe. The cases involved the illegal consumption of 1,90,757 units of electricity, valued at approximately Rs 76.85 lakh.
Action has been initiated under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which deals with offences related to electricity theft.
Two cases in Ulwe accounted for a significant portion of the total amount involved.
In one case, MSEDCL detected electricity theft valued at Rs 51.41 lakh, while another involved theft worth Rs 11.84 lakh. According to MSEDCL, the amounts involved in both cases were recovered from the respective consumers.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deepak Patil, Superintending Engineer of the Vashi Circle.
The inspection drive was led by Suhas Bedgkar, Executive Engineer, Nerul Division, and Prashant Banaite, Additional Executive Engineer, CBD Sub-Division.
Engineers Ashlesha Rokade, Gauri Vazarkar, Madhuri Bhosale, Ravindra Nahide, Hemant Jadhav and Avinash Abhale also participated in the inspections.
During the inspections, MSEDCL officials identified several methods allegedly used to illegally consume electricity.
These included:
Chief Engineer Sanjay Patil urged consumers to stay away from individuals offering incentives or other inducements linked to electricity theft.
He said the anti-theft campaign would be intensified and warned that consumers who fail to pay the assessed theft amount and applicable penalty within the prescribed period could face criminal proceedings.
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