Karnataka: Ex-CM Kumaraswamy booked for 'stealing' electricity for Diwali decoration

Bengaluru: Bescom Vigilance Wing registered a case against former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy for "illegally" illuminating his JP Nagar residence for Deepavali.

The complaint was lodged by the Congress at Bescom's vigilance police station under section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act, amounting to theft of electricity.

This incident came into the public domain after Karnataka Congress posted a video with a statement on X, alleging Kumaraswamy of 'stealing' electricity for Deepavali.

"The lone honest person in the world H D Kumaraswamy’s JP Nagar residence was illuminated with decorative lights with illegal power connection directly from the electric pole. It is a tragedy that such poverty has struck a former CM to steal electricity!" Congress Xed.

The ruling party also taunted Kumaraswamy by reminding him that the Gruha Jyoti scheme offers 200 units free a month for residential connections, not 2,000 units.

"If you were so poverty stricken, then you should have applied for the Gruha Jyoti scheme. Oh, you didn’t know that only one electricity meter is allowed under the Gruha Jyoti scheme whereas there are many meters in your name!" Congress taunted.

"Despite power shortage in the state, measures were taken by us to provide seven hours of electricity to the farmers; you are facing such a 'drought' that you resort to such a cheap theft? Didn’t you hold a press conference and say 'Karnataka is in the dark' and now you have lit up your house with stolen electricity?" it added.

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ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಏಕೈಕ ಮಹಾಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರ ಜೆ ಪಿ ನಗರದ ನಿವಾಸದ ದೀಪಾವಳಿಯ ದೀಪಾಲಂಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಂಬದಿಂದ ಅಕ್ರಮ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಾಜಿ ಸಿಎಂ ಆಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಳ್ಳತನ ಮಾಡುವ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಬಂದಿದ್ದು ದುರಂತ!@hd_kumaraswamy ಅವರೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗೃಹಜ್ಯೋತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 200 ಯೂನಿಟ್… pic.twitter.com/7GKHeRyQuS

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) November 14, 2023 >

In reply, Kumaraswamy clarified that it was the fault of a private decorator who gave the connection from a nearby electricity pole, instead of taking it from the meter board of the house. "I got it removed immediately after coming to know of it, he Xed.

"I am sorry for this indiscretion. Let BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) officials come and inspect and issue a notice. I will pay the fine," Kumaraswamy Xed. (UNI)