Power theft to tune of Rs 8.5 L detected from gangster’s house

The officials checked three meter boxes of Arif Shiakh’s building and found meter tampering while the officials also found that he was also allegedly taking power directly from a high-tension line.

A penalty of Rs. 8.50 lakh has been slapped by the officials. Sources said that earlier the family members and others tried to stop the officials but later police intervened and controlled them.

Athwalines police inspector G M Hadiya said, “The raids were kept secret and seeing the criminal background of Arif, the officials of Torrent Power sought our help. The officials detected power theft through meter tampering and direct supply and slapped a penalty amount of Rs 8.50 lakh. The building of Arif Shaikh had three registered meters of the Torrent Power.”

Despite multiple attempts, officials of Torrent Power were not available for a comment on the matter.

As per people in the know, Arif Shaikh alias Mindi is infamous for his criminal activities in Khanderao Pura area and is booked in cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion, arms act etc.

Arif and his gang of seven members were booked under GUJCTOC (Gujarat control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act) in 2022. Due to his ill health, he got bail from the Court in the current year. Later, the other two sons were also bailed out.

Recently one of his sons, Ubed Shaikh, was caught by the Special Operation Group in a hawala racket operation from Surat.