High Exam Priority
KSEB Anti Power Theft Squad Unearths ₹3.14 Cr Power Theft in Ernakulam District
25 September 2026
4 min read
The Anti Power Theft Squad of the Kerala State Electricity Board recently uncovered electricity theft valued at ₹3.14 crore during inspections in Ernakulam district. Illegal connections bypassing electricity meters were identified across multiple commercial establishments and telecom towers.
Key Highlights
- The Anti Power Theft Squad (APTS) of KSEB unearthed power irregularities worth ₹3.14 crore in Ernakulam district.
- A high-tension consumer in Maradu with a permitted load of 50 kW used an illegal connection of 260 kW to supply 145 shops, bypassing the official meter.
- Another establishment in Kalamassery municipality drew an excess load of 850 kW against an authorized 450 kW and illegally powered telecom towers of BSNL and Airtel.
- The special inspection drive was executed by the APTS Kollam unit, and authorities announced that similar statewide drives will continue.
Exam Quick Facts
Nodal Ministry / Dept
Ministry of Power, Government of Kerala
Key Bodies
Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Anti Power Theft Squad (APTS)
Constitutional & Legal Context
Electricity theft is a punishable offense under Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003.
Static GK Connection
Ernakulam is a major district in Kerala, known for its commercial hub Kochi, and the headquarters of KSEB is located in Thiruvananthapuram.