‘We asked for details of pending dues’: Woman slaps, assaults electricity department employees in Lucknow
Times of India
by PATHIKRIT CHAKRABORTYFebruary 19, 2026
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A woman identified as Nidhi Sharma allegedly stormed into a power substation in Vikas Nagar, Lucknow, and assaulted electricity department employees after her house faced a power disconnection. The incident occurred on February 18, 2024, when Sharma, accompanied by an unidentified youth, entered the Sector-14 power house and attacked staff members, including Anoop Kumar, Harish Yadav, Akash Kannaujia, and Rajneesh Yadav. Eyewitnesses reported that Sharma became agitated after being asked for details of pending dues during a prior phone call to the control room. Upon arrival at the substation, she allegedly tore official documents, snatched a mobile phone used by an employee to record the incident, and threatened staff with dire consequences.
Sharma’s actions triggered chaos at the substation, with employees fleeing for safety and police being alerted through Dial-112. Junior Engineer Sunil Kumar Verma, who was not present during the incident but rushed to the scene, filed a formal complaint. An FIR was registered against Sharma and the unidentified youth, with charges including voluntarily causing hurt (BNS 115), causing hurt to a public servant (Section 121), criminal intimidation (Section 351), and others. The incident highlights the growing tensions between citizens and utility providers over unpaid dues and service disruptions.
This事件 underscores broader issues of public safety, accountability, and frustration with government services in India. The woman’s aggressive behavior reflects a potential lack of trust or dissatisfaction with how disputes over electricity bills are handled. Such incidents also raise questions about the adequacy of training for employees to handle volatile situations and the need for better communication between utility providers and consumers. As authorities investigate further, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of resolving billing disputes through peaceful means and addressing public grievances effectively.
The incident has sparked discussions on social media, with some questioning whether such acts of aggression are justified or if there are systemic issues that need to be addressed within the electricity department. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by utility workers in India, who often become targets
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026