Dharmasthala: Advocate alleges fresh soil dumped at Bahubali Hill to destroy possible evidence
Bengaluru: Serious allegations of evidence tampering have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the Dharmasthala missing persons case. Advocate Manjunath N, who represents Sujatha Bhat, the mother of missing medical student Ananya Bhat, has claimed that a large quantity of fresh soil and waste was recently dumped in a sensitive forest area at the foot of Bahubali Hill, possibly to erase crucial evidence.
In a press release issued along with photographs, the advocate stated that excavation work had been undertaken in the forested zone on Saturday. However, according to him, around 10 feet of fresh soil and assorted waste were later deposited at the site, raising strong suspicion of foul play.
The location in question, he noted, is of particular significance to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the whistleblower’s allegations of mass burials in and around Dharmasthala. The dumping, he suggested, may have been carried out by influential vested interests seeking to obstruct the investigation.
Despite digging up to seven feet in the area where the fresh soil was placed, no human remains were found. Advocate Manjunath alleged that if such remains have now disappeared, it is unlikely to be due to natural causes and more probably the result of a deliberate attempt to remove or conceal them.
“The choice of this sensitive area for dumping waste so recently is highly suspicious,” he said in his statement, expressing confidence that the SIT would uncover the “conspiracy” behind the act.
The SIT is yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
