‘He was harassed over Rs 1.1 lakh power bill’: UP shopkeeper dies by suicide

When contacted, Sudhakar Singh, Executive Engineer at Saidpur electricity sub-division in Ghazipur, disputed the family’s allegations. He said the consumer had obtained an electricity connection in 2014 but allegedly failed to pay bills for nearly 12 years, resulting in outstanding dues of Rs 1.12 lakh. “A Recovery Certificate (RC) was issued against him in December last year to recover the pending amount,” Singh claimed.

‘Found out in March’

Surendra, a resident of Muradachak village, ran a small paan shop in Saidpur.

He is survived by his wife, Gyanti Devi, two sons and two daughters. His elder son, Suraj (33), works at a private hospital in Varanasi, while his younger son, Shubham, is doing odd jobs in Mumbai. One daughter, Anjali, who works for a private firm.

Anjali said they found out in March that Rs 1.12 lakh was outstanding in their name. “The dues accumulated after electricity department officials changed our meter twice last year, and we were unable to make the payment,” she claimed.

Since it was a substantial amount, she said the family needed time to arrange for money. “Before we could do so, the department issued a Recovery Certificate (RC), and an ameen (revenue recovery official) began visiting our home regularly, warning us that our house and my father’s paan shop could be attached if the dues were not cleared.”

Suraj alleged that when electricity department officials replaced the meter, they assured the family that a fresh bill would be generated and that no outstanding dues would be carried forward. However, when revised bills were issued, they continued to reflect pending arrears.

He said the pressure on his father intensified in recent days. “The ameen came to our house three days ago and threatened my father. My mother said he became deeply disturbed afterwards and stopped speaking to anyone. On Monday afternoon, we found him lying unconscious in a room and rushed him to hospital, where he died during treatment. Doctors told us he had consumed a poisonous substance,” he said.

Suraj claimed his father may have purchased the substance days ago and kept it hidden from the family.

When contacted, Anil Singh, Station House Officer of Saidpur police station, said the family had not lodged any complaint so far. He said a post-mortem examination had been conducted and viscera samples preserved for forensic analysis. Preliminary findings, he added, suggest that the death was linked to the consumption of a poisonous substance.

Responding to allegations of harassment, Executive Engineer Singh said he had been informed that the family had raised objections against the ameen tasked with recovering the dues, accusing him of pressuring the deceased.

On claims that the electricity meter had been replaced twice, Singh maintained that the meter was changed only once and that a smart meter had been installed in its place. He further claimed their connection had been disconnected since April last year.

Anjali said they just want justice. “I’ve heard of cases where businessmen owe crores of rupees and no recovery officials visit them, yet my father was relentlessly pursued over Rs 1.12 lakh,” she said. “Government officials have assured us action will be taken against those responsible, and we are waiting to see whether those promises are honoured.”