Meter Reader Hacked To Death Over High Electricity Bill In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: In a ghastly incident, a youth engaged in electricity meter reading was allegedly hacked to death by a consumer over ‘inflated’ bill in Tarasingh area of Odisha’s Ganjam district on Monday.

The incident was reported from Kupati village under the jurisdiction of Tarasingh police station of Bhanjanagar area in the district. The accused reportedly managed to flee the scene after committing the crime, sources said.

The deceased meter reader, engaged by a power distribution agency, is yet to be identified.

The situation turned ugly after the victim did the meter reading at a house as the residents complained that the bill was showing false information and that the amount mentioned was too high.

An altercation took place between the two sides with the consumer claiming that the bill showed inflated amount. In a fit of rage, one of the residents of the house attacked the meter reader with a sharp weapon, causing him critical injuries.

The victim was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital. However, he was declared brought dead by the doctors, sources said.

A police team rushed to the site and launched an investigation. Further details are awaited.