Two convicted for power theft acquitted after they pay Rs 2.35-lakh fine

Sessions Judge A N Choure on Tuesday found Rashid Shaikh (47) and Mohammad Rasool Shaikh (33) guilty of stealing electricity from BEST meter boxes in 2011. The case was registered with the RAK Marg Police Station and the duo were booked under several sections of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003.

The court, while pronouncing the sentence, observed that as the offence was compoundable, the convicts could be let off once the fine was paid to the court. A day’s time was given to the convicts.

The duo, who were out on bail, were taken into custody for a day and were let off after their families raised Rs 2.35 lakh and deposited it in court. The duo would have had to pay Rs 5.58 lakh fine, along with serving the sentence if they didn’t manage to raise the amount.

Public Prosecutor S M Pandit said, “As per provisions under law and on BEST’s consent, the court had decided to make the offence compoundable. They were given a day and on payment, the court released the two.”

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com