Sambhal: An FIR has been lodged against Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party (SP), at the Nakhasa police station in Sambhal. The charges stem from allegations of power theft and threatening government officials during an inspection by the Uttar Pradesh Power Department, reports The Times of India.
The complaint was filed by Santosh Tripathi, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the electricity department, under Sections 352, 351(2), and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The incident reportedly occurred during an early morning inspection at Barq’s residence in the Deepa Sarai neighbourhood.
Krishna Kumar, Superintendent of Police in Sambhal, stated, “The inspection team, led by SDO Santosh Kumar Tripathi, was conducting routine checks when they visited MP Barq’s residence. During the visit, Barq allegedly used abusive language and interfered with the officials’ duties. He is also accused of making threatening remarks, including saying, ‘If the government changes, we will destroy you.’”
The inspection team completed their work and filed a formal complaint at the local police station. Earlier in the day, the UP Power Department, accompanied by security personnel, conducted a raid on Barq’s residence, suspecting electricity meter tampering.
Barq’s legal counsel, Advocate Kasim Jamal, refuted the allegations, explaining that the household, equipped with air conditioners, fans, lights, and a refrigerator, also utilises solar panels. He claimed the MP’s family of four regularly pays the assessed electricity charges.
The electricity department refrained from making additional comments, stating that a full investigation is underway.
This development adds to the scrutiny faced by the MP, who had earlier faced allegations of power theft at the same residence.
