Ex-CM HD Kumaraswamy booked for lighting up house using 'stolen electricity' during Deepavali
Bengaluru, Nov 14: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company on Tuesday registered a case against former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy after the Congress in Karnataka accused him of drawing power illegally to illuminate his JP Nagar residence here for Deepavali.
The case was registered by the Vigilance Wing of BESCOM at its Vigilance Police Station under section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act (Theft of electricity).
Earlier, the ruling Congress posted a video along with a statement on social media platform X, criticising the JD(S) leader and son of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.
In his response, Kumaraswamy said it was not his fault but of a private decorator who gave the connection directly from a nearby electricity pole. When he got to know, he immediately got it removed and took the electricity connection from the meter board of the house, he said.
"The lone honest person in the world H D Kumaraswamy's JP Nagar residence was illuminated with decorative lights with illegal power connection directly from the electric pole. It is a tragedy that such a poverty has struck a former CM to steal electricity!" the Congress said, taking a dig at him.
Further taking a swipe at Kumaraswamy, the party said the Congress government's 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme offers 200 units of free electricity a month for residential connections and not 2,000 units.
"I am sorry for this indiscretion. Let BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) officials come and inspect and issue a notice. I will pay the fine," Kumaraswamy responded on X.
He hit out at the Congress for making a big deal out of a "petty issue".
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said BESCOM will initiate action.
The Congress taunted earlier: "If you were so poverty stricken, then you should have applied for the Gruha Jyoti scheme. Oh, you didn't know that only one electricity meter is allowed under the Gruha Jyoti scheme whereas there are many meters in your name!"
"Despite power shortage in the state, measures were taken by us to provide seven hours electricity to the farmers; you are facing such a "drought" that you resort to such a cheap theft? Didn't you hold a press conference and say "Karnataka is in the dark" and now you have lit up your house with stolen electricity?" it added.
The ruling party sought to know why he was saying that Karnataka was in the dark when his house was shining with decorative lights!
"To ask a question your own style Do you need to light up your home when the state is facing drought? Do you want to have fun stealing electricity meant for the farmers? Do you want the Diwali' (referring to bankruptcy in Kannada) of people for Deepavali festival' in your house?" the Congress asked.
ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಏಕೈಕ ಮಹಾಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರ ಜೆ ಪಿ ನಗರದ ನಿವಾಸದ ದೀಪಾವಳಿಯ ದೀಪಾಲಂಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಂಬದಿಂದ ಅಕ್ರಮ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) November 14, 2023
ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಾಜಿ ಸಿಎಂ ಆಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಳ್ಳತನ ಮಾಡುವ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಬಂದಿದ್ದು ದುರಂತ!@hd_kumaraswamy ಅವರೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗೃಹಜ್ಯೋತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 200 ಯೂನಿಟ್… pic.twitter.com/7GKHeRyQuS
ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಮನೆಗೆ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ದೀಪಗಳ ಅಲಂಕಾರ ಮಾಡಲು ಖಾಸಗಿ ಡೆಕೋರೇಟರ್ ಒಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅವರು ಮನೆಗೆ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ದೀಪಗಳ ಅಲಂಕಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದ ಕಂಬದಿಂದ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಪಡೆದು ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆಗ ನಾನು ಬಿಡದಿಯ ತೋಟದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೆ. ನಿನ್ನೆ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ವಾಪಸ್ ಬಂದಾಗ ಈ ವಿಷಯ ನನ್ನ…
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) November 14, 2023
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
