LESCO officials accused of attacking family over bill dispute

Locals say officials attacked after request for payment receipt

SARAI MUGHAL:

A dispute over an electricity bill payment led to allegations of assault by officials of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) against a poor family in Sarai Mughal, with the situation escalating into a violent confrontation between the family and the officials.

Riyasat Ali, the complainant, filed a report at the Sarai Mughal Police Station, claiming that two LESCO officials, Mujtaba and Taimoor, along with an unidentified third individual, visited his home.

Riyasat explained that he had already paid Rs30,000 as part of an installment plan for his outstanding bill, but when he asked for a receipt, the officials became hostile. According to Riyasat, "We are very poor people and are already struggling with rising electricity bills. We couldn't pay the full amount by the due date due to our dire financial situation, so LESCO officials came to disconnect the electricity."

Riyasat further elaborated that he had pleaded with the officials to allow the bill to be paid in two installments, to which they agreed, and Rs30,000 was paid as the first installment. However, just a few days later, the same officials returned, demanding the second installment along with additional expenses, citing the cost of petrol for their visit. When Riyasat's mother asked for a receipt for the Rs30,000 already paid, the situation quickly escalated.

Riyasat stated, "My mother explained to them that we would pay the second installment soon, but they still disconnected the electricity. When my mother persisted in asking for a receipt, the officials became aggressive, tore her clothes, and started abusing her. I stepped in to protect her, but they turned on me, hitting me on the head with a meter, causing a severe head injury. They continued to beat me until our neighbors called emergency services, and the Sarai Mughal police arrived, causing the officials to flee."

LESCO Sub-Division Halla's Meter Inspector Muhammad Asif Khan denied the allegations and claimed that the officials were only there to collect the bill and disconnect the connection due to non-payment. He alleged that the family became violent, prompting them to disconnect the power.

"We were also subjected to abuse, and we are in the process of filing an FIR against the family," said Khan.

Both parties have been summoned by the Sarai Mughal police station for questioning, and an investigation is underway to determine the details of the incident.