Dharmasthala mass burials case: Another witness complainant comes before SIT
Mangaluru: A third individual, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has reportedly written to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), requesting to be included in the operation to exhume human remains allegedly buried secretly in Dharmasthala village. The complainant claims to have personally witnessed the locations where the first complainant was said to have buried the bodies.
Addressing the letter to SIT chief Pronab Mohanty, the third complainant mentioned that he is writing on behalf of the residents of Dharmasthala and surrounding villages. “As a villager, I have identified the person, the first complainant seen in broadcast media reports. I have seen him secretly transporting and burying bodies at multiple locations in Dharmasthala village, away from public view. Even though such burials were done in secrecy, you must be aware that nothing remains hidden in the villages,” the complainant wrote.
He requested to be independently involved in the operation to exhume the remains from the locations indicated by the first complainant. He further appealed to the SIT to allow him to independently identify the exact sites where he witnessed the secret burials.
The complainant also stated in the letter that the ongoing operations by the SIT, formed by the Chief Minister to ensure an impartial investigation into the alleged crimes in Dharmasthala, have encouraged him to step forward without fear. He expressed his determination to cooperate with the SIT, which he believes has been constituted for the safety and protection of the people.
Responding to the letter, an assistant investigating officer from the SIT confirmed receipt of the application and said it has been reviewed. The officer advised that any information or complaint regarding a crime should be submitted to the local jurisdictional police station.
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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.
