Power Theft Crackdown on Controversial Cleric's Associates

In a major crackdown, five associates of controversial cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza have been hit with hefty recovery notices amounting to over Rs 1.25 crore. They have been accused of power theft at e-charging stations, according to officials.

After a detailed investigation, a joint team conducted a raid in the Baan Khana area, exposing five e-charging centers operating on stolen electricity. Recovery notices were promptly issued against the accused, marking this as a repeated offense following a similar raid one year prior.

The district administration has vowed strict measures for recovery, with Chief Engineer Gyan Prakash leading the charge. Meanwhile, law enforcement is focusing on potential complicity within the power department, and further legal actions are anticipated.

Amidst escalating tensions, another aide of Tauqeer Raza faced arrest linked to September 6 violence, and authorities demolished illegal properties, intensifying their crackdown on the cleric's circle.

(With inputs from agencies.)