On June 7, 2025, the Allahabad High Court directed the immediate restoration of electricity supply to the residence of Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court also stayed the ₹1.91 crore demand raised by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) against him for alleged electricity theft.

The case originated from a December 2024 inspection by the UPPCL, which claimed that Barq’s residence had tampered electricity meters and was consuming significantly more power than the sanctioned load. An FIR was filed against Barq under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and his electricity supply was disconnected.

Barq challenged the disconnection and the hefty fine in the High Court, arguing that the actions were politically motivated. The court, acknowledging the potential for undue hardship, ordered the restoration of electricity and stayed the recovery proceedings.

This legal relief comes amid ongoing investigations into both the alleged power theft and Barq’s involvement in the Sambhal violence case. The High Court has instructed Barq to cooperate fully with the authorities during these investigations.

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