Section 150 of EA 2003, Electricity Act : Section 150: Abetment

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where John, an electrical contractor, is approached by a local business owner, Mike, who wants to reduce his electricity bills. Mike offers John a sum of money to illegally tamper with the meter to show lower electricity consumption than what is actually being used. John agrees and carries out the tampering.

Under Section 150(1) of The Electricity Act, 2003, John's act of tampering with the meter at Mike's request constitutes abetment of an offence under the Act. Even though John did not personally benefit from the reduced electricity bills, his action in assisting Mike makes him liable for the same punishment as if he had committed the theft of electricity himself.

If John was an employee of the electricity board or a licensee, and he either entered into an agreement or turned a blind eye to the tampering, Section 150(2) would apply. This means John could face imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both, for his involvement in facilitating the theft of electricity.

Furthermore, according to Section 150(3), if John is convicted for his abetment, the licensing authority that issued his electrical contractor's license has the power to cancel his license. However, before the cancellation of his license, John would be given an opportunity to be heard in his defense.