A petrol pump in Hapur’s Partapur Road faced an unusual disruption when a lineman, angered by the denial of fuel for not wearing a helmet, cut off the pump’s power supply. The incident led to a 20-minute shutdown, causing chaos and heated exchanges. The situation intensified after a video of the altercation went viral on social media.

In compliance with government directives, two-wheeler riders without helmets are not allowed to purchase fuel at petrol pumps. This rule was being enforced at the petrol pump on Partapur Road.

According to Golu, a pump employee, the lineman from the local power station arrived at the pump to refuel his vehicle without a helmet.

Upon being informed about the rule, the lineman became irate and demanded fuel, which was denied. In retaliation, he reportedly cut off the pump’s power supply, halting operations and creating disarray among staff and customers.

Pump employees rushed to the nearby transformer to confront the lineman about the disconnection. They emphasized that the pump had no outstanding electricity dues, questioning the rationale behind the disruption. After heated discussions, the power supply was restored.

The incident gained traction after a video of the event went viral, sparking widespread criticism. Authorities are now facing scrutiny over the lineman’s actions and the lack of accountability in such cases.

Arvind Kushwaha, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), stated, “We have not received any formal complaint about the disruption of supply at the petrol pump. If a complaint is filed, necessary action will be taken. The matter is currently not under official scrutiny.”

Superintending Engineer S.K. Agrawal added, “Such actions are unacceptable. No establishment’s power supply can be cut arbitrarily. We will investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action.”

This is not the first time power supply disruptions have occurred without due process. In a previous instance, several officials, including a superintending engineer, were suspended for cutting off power to an industrial unit.

The incident underscores the challenges in enforcing government directives and the potential abuse of authority by officials. With the viral video drawing attention, public pressure on authorities to act decisively has increased. Residents and pump operators now await swift and transparent action to prevent such incidents in the future.