Bengaluru police constable suspended after thief wears his uniform during custody
Bengaluru: A police constable in Bengaluru has been suspended for negligence after a habitual offender in his custody was found wearing his uniform during a video call with his wife.
Constable Sonare H. R., posted at Govindapura police station, was suspended after investigators discovered that Saleem Sheikh, also known as Bombay Saleem, had worn his uniform last year. Saleem has over 50 theft cases against him and is part of a gang, according to the police.
The incident came to light during an Indiranagar police investigation into a theft reported on June 23 this year. CCTV footage and other evidence linked Saleem to the crime. Police traced him to Pune, where he was arrested and brought back to Bengaluru. He was accused of stealing jewellery, sarees, and other valuables.
While examining Saleem’s phone, investigators found a screenshot from a WhatsApp video call in which he was wearing a police uniform. When questioned, Saleem said he had worn the uniform to impress his wife during a call.
Police later learned that during his arrest by the Govindapura police last year, Saleem had been taken outside Bengaluru to recover stolen property. While staying at a hotel, Sonare and another constable went out shopping, leaving Saleem locked in the room. During that time, Saleem put on Sonare’s uniform, which had been left in the room.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Devaraja D. said the act amounted to negligence, leading to Sonare’s suspension.
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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.
