# No electricity theft without meter tampering: Patna High Court

2026-08-08T13:33:01+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Patna High Court has quashed an FIR for electricity theft under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, ruling that mere non-payment of dues is not theft without proof of meter tampering or disconnection. Justice Jitendra Kumar observed that the inspection report showed the meter was functional and its reading increased naturally, contradicting the allegation of illegal restoration. The petitioner owed Rs 5.39 lakh but denied disconnection. The court held the case as a civil liability, not a criminal offence, and quashed the FIR.

## Coverage

- livelaw.in <https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/patna-high-court/patna-high-court-quashes-electricity-theft-fir-nonpayment-bills-civil-liability-544905>

Tags: Electricity Act, electricity theft, FIR quashed, meter tampering, Patna High Court, Section 135
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/no-electricity-theft-without-meter-tampering-patna-high-court/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/no-electricity-theft-without-meter-tampering-patna-high-court/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.