Shimla, Sept 25,
The Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has lodged a criminal case against three former senior engineers of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) and two directors of a Baddi-based private firm for their alleged role in an electricity scam that caused a loss of nearly Rs 11.84 crore to the state utility.
The FIR, filed on the complaint of HPSEB Chairman Sanjay Gupta, names then Chief Engineer (Operations) Rajesh Kumar Thakur, then Superintending Engineer (Operations) Anoop Dhiman, then Chief Engineer (Commercial) Y.R. Sharma, along with Abhinav Moudgil and Umesh Moudgil, directors of M/s Gilvert Ispat Private Limited.
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Investigations reveal that the industrial unit defaulted on electricity bills amounting to Rs 11.84 crore. Instead of enforcing recovery, the accused engineers allegedly colluded with the firm by restoring its power supply and allowing a deferred payment plan. However, the cheques issued by the company later bounced, leaving the dues unrecovered and the board facing a major financial setback.
The Vigilance enquiry, launched in March 2025 after the HPSEB Managing Director raised the matter, confirmed deliberate negligence and possible corruption. Mandatory approval under the Prevention of Corruption Act was secured before registering the FIR.
Officials said the probe is ongoing and more HPSEB employees may be brought under the scanner as the case unfolds. The alleged nexus has raised serious concerns over institutional accountability and financial losses to the exchequer.
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