MEPCO Detection Bill
Last checked 26 September 2026
A MEPCO detection bill is a separate bill for electricity that MEPCO says was used but not recorded, because of direct hooking, meter tampering or a slow meter. NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual decides when one can be issued, how the units are counted and how many months can be charged. In a meter-tampering case it also gives the consumer a written notice, 7 days to reply and a hearing before a review committee. This page explains each case, the formula, the limits and how to dispute a detection bill.
What is a detection bill?
A detection bill is MEPCO's charge for an energy loss it has assessed at a connection, issued separately from the monthly bill. The manual requires it to show the reasons, the number of units, the amount, the period charged and the taxes, and MEPCO must keep a separate record of these bills and their payments (clause 9.2.5).
MEPCO's FAQ names illegal abstraction or consumption of energy, direct hooking (a kunda) and meter slowness as grounds for one. PITC's detection bill policy page uses matching headings for theft of energy, direct hooking and slowness, and adds headings for disputes and recovery.
A detection bill is different from an "est def" bill, which is an ordinary monthly bill estimated for up to two months while a defective meter waits for replacement (clause 4.3.1). An estimated or wrongly read monthly bill is handled through MEPCO bill correction instead.
Which cases lead to a detection bill?
Three situations in the manual can lead to a detection bill, each with its own ceiling on how far back MEPCO can charge. In the table, each row is a case; the columns give the maximum period that can be charged and the basis for counting the units.
| Case | Maximum period charged | How the units are worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Direct theft, including direct hooking, a bypassed meter, a meter missing from the consumer's custody, supply restored illegally after disconnection, or a meter with no record (clause 9.1) | 12 months for a person who is not a registered consumer; 6 months for a registered consumer | Unregistered: the load formula. Registered: billing history first, then future undisputed use, then the load formula |
| Meter tampering or other illegal abstraction by a registered consumer (clause 9.2) | 3 billing cycles for homes, shops and general services (A-1, A-2, A-3), extendable to 6 months with the approval of the CEO or a committee the CEO authorises; 6 billing cycles for other categories | Billing history first, then future undisputed use, then the load formula |
| Slow meter found on testing (clauses 4.3.3 and 4.3.4) | 2 previous billing cycles | The slowness measured by a check meter or testing equipment |
The authorised committee must have at least three officers of chief engineer or director level and decide case by case after scrutiny; when the period is extended, the manual also calls for action against the officer concerned for not being vigilant enough (clause 9.2.3(c)). A meter that is slow because of age is replaced at MEPCO's cost (clause 4.4); the MEPCO meter change guide covers replacement.
Using a connection for another purpose, such as running a shop on a home connection, is treated as misuse of tariff. MEPCO serves 7 clear days' notice, changes the tariff immediately and recovers the difference in charges for the period of misuse, for no more than 2 billing cycles without documentary proof (clause 7.5.2). MEPCO's FAQ says a home that opens a shop needs a MEPCO tariff change, and that an assessment bill applies if the use changed before the tariff did.
What must MEPCO do before issuing one?
Before serving a detection bill for meter tampering, MEPCO must secure the meter in your presence, install a check meter and give you a written notice with 7 days to reply (clause 9.2.2). The steps run in this order:
- Meter secured. The meter is secured on site without being removed, in front of you or your representative.
- Check meter installed. A check meter is fitted at the premises and declared the billing meter.
- Evidence recorded. MEPCO may take photos or video for the competent forum.
- Notice served. Once illegal abstraction is confirmed, the SDO serves a notice setting out the allegations and giving you 7 days to reply.
- Reply examined. The XEN examines your reply. If it is unsatisfactory, does not arrive or admits the allegations, the SDO, with the XEN's approval, serves the detection bill.
- Bill and disconnection notice served. The detection bill comes with a disconnection notice asking for payment within 7 days (clause 9.2.3(a)).
Direct theft cases under clause 9.1 are handled differently. Supply is disconnected immediately under an officer's supervision, the removed material is kept as case property, and a MEPCO officer of grade 17 or above reports the matter to the police in writing. MEPCO's FAQ adds that in direct hooking cases an FIR is registered against whoever installs items or equipment without permission.
How are detection units calculated?
For a registered consumer, MEPCO must use your previous billing history first, then your future undisputed consumption if there is no credible history, and the load formula only as the last option (clauses 9.1.3(b) and 9.2.3(b)). For someone who is not a registered consumer, the formula is the basis. It reads:
Detection units = load (kW) × load factor × 730 × months charged
The terms in the formula mean:
- Load: the connected or sanctioned load, whichever is higher, for a registered consumer; the connected or running load, whichever is higher, for anyone else.
- Load factor: from Annexure V of the manual, 20% for single-phase and 25% for three-phase homes and shops, and 15% and 20% for general services.
- 730: the average number of hours in a month.
As a hypothetical example, take a single-phase home with a 2 kW sanctioned load and no higher connected load, where neither a credible billing history nor undisputed later consumption is available. Charged for the 3 billing cycles allowed in a tampering case, it works out as 2 × 0.20 × 730 × 3 = 876 units. The units already billed in those months are then deducted, as the manual requires.
How to dispute a detection bill
Reply to the notice in writing within 7 days, then take the bill to MEPCO's review committee, which must give you a personal hearing (clause 9.2.4(a)). The manual also requires complaints about detection bills to be settled within 15 days (clause 10.3.1(g)).
- Answer the notice. Send a written reply within the 7 days with your bills, meter photos and any facts that explain your use, and keep a copy stamped as received.
- Check the working. Compare the period with the limits above and confirm the load and load factor used. Open your bill with the MEPCO bill checker and use its billing history to make sure units already billed were deducted.
- Register a complaint. PITC's complaint system listed a Detection Bill type under Non-Line Complaints as of September 2026; keep the ticket number. Other channels are on the MEPCO complaint numbers page.
- Ask for a review committee hearing. Object to the bill in writing and ask for the personal hearing the manual promises.
- Escalate if needed. The Punjab Energy Department's billing complaint portal lists detection bills under its Billing category for the regional Electric Inspector, and NEPRA hears complaints against MEPCO; its published MEPCO decisions include one on a detection bill complaint, dated 12 August 2026. The guide on complaining to NEPRA about MEPCO explains that route.
What happens if a detection bill is ignored?
The connection can be disconnected. The bill arrives with a 7-day disconnection notice, and if it is still unpaid after the review committee's decision, the premises is disconnected under the manual's normal procedure (clause 9.2.4(b)). The manual attaches these further consequences:
- Reconnection fee: the manual sets a Rs 2,000 reconnection fee, on top of the dues, for a supply cut for dishonest abstraction (clause 8.5.3), chargeable only where the supply was permanently disconnected and the material removed (clause 8.5.4); the MEPCO reconnection rules cover the rest.
- Police report: the review clause also provides for a MEPCO officer of grade 17 or above to inform the police in writing (clause 9.2.4(c)).
- After payment: once the detection bill is paid, the tampered meter is replaced at the consumer's cost and no further action is taken against the consumer (clause 9.2.3(d)).
Sources: NEPRA Consumer Service Manual as on 26 November 2025, chapter 9, clauses 4.3, 4.4, 7.5.2, 8.5.3, 8.5.4, 10.3.1, 14.1 and Annexure V (copy circulated by MEPCO on 28 November 2025); NEPRA public notice and proposed CSM amendments, 25 September 2026; NEPRA Authority Decisions (MEPCO) and Complaint Handling and Dispute Resolution (Procedure) Rules, 2015; MEPCO FAQ page; PITC detection bill policy page and complaint system; Punjab Energy Department Electricity Billing Complaint Portal. Checked 26 September 2026.