Section 31: Damaging electric line

31. Damaging electric line (1) Any person who— (a) wilfully removes, destroys, damages or obstructs the working of any electric line or works, or who interferes without authority in any manner so as to lower or prevent the working of any such electric line or works; (b) wilfully uses the electric current furnished by an electric station by means of branching, connecting or switching wires or lines for any purpose, without authority of the owner of such electric station, shall commit an offence and, without prejudice to the liability of such person by way of civil action in damages for any such wrongful act, shall on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 50,000 rupees. (2) (a) The owner of any electric station, works or lines, concerning which any offence is committed under this section or any servant or agent of such owner, of any officer, non-commissioned officer or police constable, with or without warrant, may apprehend any person found so offending and to deliver him to a member of the Police Force or to convey him before the nearest District Magistrate. [Issue 2] C58– 6 Revised Laws of Mauritius (b) No arrest shall be made under paragraph (a) where the person so offending is known to such owner, servant or agent, or police officer, or gives satisfactory information or reference with respect to his name and place of residence. (3) In this section— “electric line” means a wire conductor, or other means used for the purpose of conveying, transmitting or distributing electricity with any casing, coating, covering tube, pipe, or insulator, enclosing, surrounding or supporting the same, or any part thereof, or any apparatus connected therewith for the purpose of conveying, transmitting or distributing electricity or electric currents; “works” includes electric lines and any buildings, machinery, engines, works, matters or things required to supply electricity. (4) This section shall also apply to telephone lines and works. [S. 31 amended by Act 29 of 1990; s. 8 (a) of Act 36 of 2008 w.e.f. 6 December 2008.] 32. – 35. —