Bhubaneswar, April 22 -- Shocking details have emerged from the Shyampur encroachment slum in Bhubaneswar, revealing an alleged underground electricity network and a large-scale illegal collection racket involving power supply staff.

According to complaints, electricity lines were laid beneath the ground to provide unauthorized connections to hundreds of households. A lineman is accused of collecting nearly Rs 2 lakh per month from residents in exchange for illegal power supply, without any billing.

During the recent eviction drive affecting 926 houses, officials reportedly found widespread use of electrical appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and coolers in the slum. Residents had earlier claimed that these were being p...