Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company has reportedly imposed a fine of Rs 68,000 on former Karnataka Chief Minister and Karnataka state JD(S) President, on Thursday, for allegedly drawing electricity from an electric pole near his residence to light up decorative bulbs on the occasion of Deepavali.

The electricity supply company officials who visited, inspected Kumaraswamy’s residence, imposed a fine of Rs 68,000, and instructed the leader to pay the penalty payment within seven days. While Kumaraswamy argued that the power was drawn from the pole without his knowledge, an FIR under the Karnataka Electricity Act was lodged at the BESCOM Vigilance Jayanagar Police Station on Tuesday. A statement from the energy department read that the complaint was registered based on an viral video clip showing a wire drawn from the electricity pole to Kumaraswamy’s house.

Meanwhile, the issue has taken a political turn, with Kumaraswamy lashing out at the Congress party accusing it of playing politics. The incident, widely criticized on social media, has sparked a debate among netizens.

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New Delhi, Nov 14: India on Thursday said it will pursue an extradition request with Canada for Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, following his arrest in that country.

Dalla was designated in India as a terrorist in 2023.

In July 2023, India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest.

"In view of the recent arrest, our agencies will be following up on an extradition request," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"Given Arsh Dalla's criminal record in India and his involvement in similar illegal activities in Canada, it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India," he added.

Dalla was reportedly arrested by the Canadian Police late last month.

"We have seen media reports circulating since November 10 on the arrest in Canada of proclaimed offender Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force," Jaiswal said.

"Canadian print and visual media have widely reported on the arrest. We understand that the Ontario Court has listed the case for hearing," he added.

Jaiswal was replying to media queries regarding the arrest of Dalla.

"Arsh Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including terror financing. In May 2022, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him," Jaiswal said.

"He was designated in India as an individual terrorist in 2023. In July 2023, the Government of India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest. This was declined," he added.

Jaiswal said India had provided additional information in the case to the Canadian authorities.

"A separate request was also sent to Canada under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to verify Arsh Dalla's suspected residential address, his financial transactions to India, moveable/immovable properties, details of mobile numbers etc - all of which were provided to Canadian authorities in January 2023," Jaiswal said.

"In December 2023, the Department of Justice of Canada sought additional information on the case. A reply to these queries was sent in March this year," he added.