8-month-old baby among four-member Indian-origin family kidnapped in US
Los Angeles (PTI): An Indian-origin family of four, including an 8-month-old child, has been kidnapped in the US state of California, police said and warned the suspect is armed and considered dangerous.
The family from Central Valley was kidnapped in Merced County, California, on Monday.
The family was identified as 8-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her 27-year-old mother Jasleen Kaur, her 36-year-old father Jasdeep Singh, and her 39-year-old uncle Amandeep Singh.
The sheriff's office released two images of a person they believe to be the abductor, describing him as having a shaved head and wearing a hoodie.
The 8-month-old girl and her parents were kidnapped by a person described as armed and dangerous, authorities said.
A fourth relative was also taken from a family business in an unincorporated community in the Central Valley community, the Merced County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Monday evening.
In the statement Monday night, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said that investigators were unsure of a motive but that authorities believe the kidnapper destroyed evidence to cover his tracks.
"So far as I know no contact has been made nor ransom demands, nothing, from the suspects in this," he said. "We need your help."
"We consider the suspect to be armed and dangerous," the sheriff's office said.
"We have a lowlife out there that kidnapped an 8-month-old baby, her mom, her dad, and her uncle. So far... we have no motivation behind it. We just know they are gone," said Sheriff Warnke.
Deputies said the investigation is in its early stages.
It asked the public to approach the sheriff's office if they see the suspect.
"Do not approach him or the victims," it said.
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.
