'Power outage' at K'taka hospital kills 2 patients, CM Bommai announces compensation
Bengaluru, Sep 15: Two patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital in Ballari died allegedly during power outage, a charge denied by the Karnataka government, which said it is ready to conduct a probe into the issue that rocked the State Assembly on Thursday.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin of the deceased.
The government has decided to give a compensation of Rs five lakh to the families of the victims of Ballari incident, he told reporters here.
Maula Hussein (35), suffering from kidney-related ailments, and Chettemma (30), a snake-bite victim, died at the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in the district headquarters town of Ballari on Wednesday at 9.30 AM and 9.35 AM respectively.
Some reports attributed the deaths to power-cut and a defunct power generator or backup at the government medical college hospital.
In the Assembly, the opposition Congress claimed that actually three people died due to alleged negligence on the part of the government and demanded that the Health Minister K Sudhakar resign.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said there was a power-cut from 8 AM to 10:30 AM and at the same time the generator was also not functioning and three people who were in the ICU died as the ventilators did not function.
He held director of the medical college, Health Department, Minister and officials, Deputy Commissioner of the district, responsible for the deaths and the government should own up.
Also, seeking to know why the generator was not readily kept available in a working condition, he further said strict action should be taken against errant officials and compensation of Rs 25 lakh each should be immediately given to the family of the deceased.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy, referring to the "language used in the notice" of the Leader of Opposition seeking to raise the issue, said it was not expected from Siddaramaiah.
"The letter states the government was directly responsible for the deaths, and they were not accidental, but a government-sponsored murder...what is this?" the Minister asked.
This led to heated exchange between Madhuswamy and Siddaramaiah, which also saw legislators from both sides joining in.
Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri intervened and brought things under control.
Ballari district in-charge Minister B Sriramulu, in his reply on part of the government, shared details about the two deaths and said they were not due to power outage.
"Hundred per cent! Maula Hussein and Chettemma's died not due to power failure and the Medical Superintendent there has also given a report in this regard...they have died of health issues they were suffering from," he said, adding that there was one-and-half-hour power backup at the hospital.
Arguing that there are reports that the deaths were due to power outage and non-availability of power backup, Siddaramaiah demanded an inquiry.
He said the government should accept its failure and should not "play on the issue of deaths." Madhuswamy maintained that one death was due to chronic kidney ailment and other was due to snake-bite, and there was adequate power backup.
The Minister added: "Still if there is suspicion, we will get an inquiry done and report it back to the House. If there is fault on part of the hospital, compensation to the deceased kin will be considered and action will be taken against those responsible."
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
