Hyderabad: In an unprecedented development, officials from the Southern Discom have been left stunned after dozens of electricity meters, initially reported missing, were discovered at a private residence—raising serious questions about procedural lapses and potential internal collusion.
The issue first came to light in the Ibrahimbagh division, where around 100 electricity meters were found to be unaccounted for. Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADE) Ambedkar filed a police complaint after noticing the discrepancies. Investigations gained momentum when vigilance teams, acting on a tip-off, unearthed 42 of these missing meters stashed inside a house in Telecom Nagar, Gachibowli.
Officials say the meters, which were sanctioned under consumer names, had mysteriously vanished from their designated locations in Ibrahimbagh. Yet, those service connections continued receiving minimum monthly bills, despite the meters being physically absent.
Suspecting foul play, divisional-level officers launched a probe and alerted the Discom’s vigilance wing. The investigation led to the discovery that the retrieved meters were allegedly diverted without verification for use in villas under construction in Chitrapuri Colony. The manner in which these meters changed hands—without any official paperwork or authorisation—has set off alarm bells within the department.
Sources indicate that CMD Musharraf Faruqui has taken serious note of the incident. He is reported to have instructed vigilance officials to conduct a thorough inquiry and identify those responsible within the department.
The case has raised broader concerns about inventory management, internal oversight, and the possible nexus between insiders and private developers, with further action expected in the coming days as investigations deepen.