School boy murder: Two arrested after exchange of fire with police in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a school boy, following an exchange of fire with the police on Friday.
Gurumurthy (27) and Gopalakrishna (25) were shot in the legs after they allegedly tried to resist the arrest and attacked the police team with sharp weapons near Bilvaradahalli road, in an attempt to escape, police said.
The two policemen were also injured in the attack. The accused and the injured policemen are being treated at a hospital.
Citing preliminary inquiry, a senior police officer said the accused had allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakh from 13-year-old Nishcith's parents before allegedly slitting his throat and setting him on fire.
The matter came to light on July 30 when Nishcith's parents, residents of Arekere approached the Hulimavu police station at 10.30 pm alleging that their son had gone missing.
According to police, in the complaint, his father, a private college professor, stated that their son had left home for tuition on his bicycle at 5 pm but didn't return till 8 pm. When they inquired with his tuition teacher, they were told that the boy had left at 7.30 pm. His son's bicycle was found parked near a park in Arekere.
However, on Thursday, the boy's burnt body was found on the outskirts of the city, off Bannerghatta Road in a deserted area.
Using technical surveillance and based on a tip off, the accused duo were arrested from near Kaggalipura road.
During the operation, one of the policemen initially fired two rounds in the air, warning the accused duo to surrender when they attempted to flee. Later, when the accused attacked PSI Aravindkumar, in self-defense, he fired two rounds, hitting Gurumurthy in his left and right leg, he said.
When Gopalakrishna attacked PI Kumaraswamy B G with a dagger, in self-defense, he opened fire at the accused's right leg, he added.
The officer said the accused duo, who work as drivers, were known to the boy's father and allegedly kidnapped him to extort money from his parents.
Further investigation is underway.
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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.
