Prayagraj, June 12 -- To curb power theft, a joint team of the electricity and vigilance departments conducted an intensive checking drive in several city localities, including Kareli, Dhoomanganj, Nayapurva, Kydganj, Allahpur, Daraganj, Karelabad, Tagore Town and Kalyani Devi, in the early hours of Wednesday. The early morning checks caused a stir among residents. The team uncovered electricity theft in 52 houses, with videography conducted and cases registered against the connection owners. Additionally, electricity connections of dozens of consumers were severed due to outstanding bills. Superintending engineer Manoj Gupta stated that connections for 28 consumers in the Mayo Hall, Bamrauli and Tagore Town divisions were disconnected over outstanding dues totaling Rs 25 lakh. During this campaign, electricity theft was detected at seven consumers' homes, with the highest incidence in Kareli. SDO (Kareli) Rajveer Singh Kataria reported that theft was found in 10 houses in Karelabagh, 12 in Kareli (I), and 11 in Kareli (II). In all these cases, electricity meters were found to be bypassed....