Dharmasthala mass burial allegations: SIT begins day three of excavation at Netravati bathing ghat
Belthangady: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case has launched the third day of its operations on July 30, around 11 a.m., focusing on the search for skeletal remains allegedly buried in the area. The team arrived at the Netravati bathing ghat along with the primary complainant who had initially filed the case.
Earlier in the day, the complainant arrived at the Belthangady SIT office at 10 a.m. with legal representatives. After completing necessary formalities, the team proceeded to the excavation site.
Among the officials present were IPS officers Anucheth and Jitendra Kumar Dayama, SP Simon, Puttur Assistant Commissioner Stella Varghese, Belthangady Tahsildar Prithvi Sanikan, a medical team from KMC Mangaluru, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, and experts from the Indian Society of Dowsers (ISD).
The SIT is now preparing to excavate a second location identified by the witness.
No use of Hitachi machines
Sources have confirmed that the land being excavated today falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department. As such, permission has not been granted to use heavy machinery like Hitachi excavators, which are considered to violate forest protection laws. The excavation will therefore be conducted manually using laborers.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
