Section 32: Offences involving electricity

32. Offences involving electricity (1) Any person who, in any manner, without lawful authority or excuse, the proof of which shall lie on him— (a) abstracts, consumes or uses energy; (b) destroys, breaks down, damages, tampers with, renders useless, or alters the index of any meter or other instrument used on or in connection with any installation set up by the Board for recording the input, output or consumption of energy; or (c) prevents any such meter or other instrument from duly recording the input, output or consumption of energy, shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 5,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years. (2) In any proceedings against a consumer under subsection (1)— (a) the fitting of any device to, the absence of any part from, and the interference with, any installation set up for recording the input, output or consumption of energy; or (b) the absence of, or interference with, any seal affixed to any meter, shall be evidence that the consumer was himself responsible for— (i) the abstraction, consumption or use of energy; (ii) the alteration of the index of any meter or instrument; (iii) the prevention of any meter from duly recording the input, output or consumption of energy, unless the consumer proves to the satisfaction of the Court that he has not been privy to any of the acts specified in paragraphs (a) and (b). 33. – 45. —