The Supreme Court has called for an examination of the role of WAPDA and power distribution company officials in electricity theft and the illegal sale of electricity, saying it is hard to believe such supply could happen without their knowledge.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan issued the directions on Friday 6 November, while hearing a petition seeking cancellation of pre-arrest bail in a case in which a man was electrocuted by a broken electricity wire.

A death in Larkana

The petitioner, Ali Asghar Khokhar of Khuhawar Street, Larkana, alleged that a contractor was supplying electricity to shops with the connivance of WAPDA officials. A PVC wire connected to a high-tension line broke in March 2024, electrocuting his brother, Noor Hussain. An FIR was registered at Rehmatpur police station in Larkana against the accused, Anwar Ali Kori, and WAPDA officials.

The court observed that the roles of all those involved in electricity theft, the illegal sale of power and private supply outside the authorised procedure should be thoroughly examined by the relevant authorities. It directed that a copy of its order be sent to the WAPDA chairman.

Bail left in place

The bench also set out the limits on cancelling bail, observing that bail could not be cancelled merely on unreasonable grounds. Cancellation required showing that bail had been granted illegally, or that the accused had misused the concession, intimidated witnesses, tried to destroy evidence or interfered with the investigation.

The court found no reason to interfere with the Sindh High Court's order upholding the accused's bail, and disposed of the petition as withdrawn, clarifying that its observations would not affect the merits of the pending criminal case, which the trial court will decide in accordance with the law.