Ex-CM Accused Of Power Pilferage

Bengaluru: Janata Dal Secular leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has been accused of power pilferage by drawing power connection to his residence in J.P. Nagar of Bengaluru city and the power has been drawn from an nearby electric pole to illuminate his residence on the occasion of Deepawali festival.

It is said that persons in J.P. Nagar vicinity noticed an illegal power connection drawn to the residence of Kumaraswamy and videographed before it came to the notice of the BESCOM officials leading to spot inspection. The social media wing of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee was quick to circulate the video of illegal power connection to Kumaraswamy’s residence.

On learning about the illegal power drawn from a nearby electric pole, officials concerned of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) inspected the residence of Kumaraswamy on Tuesday.

Responding to the accusation of Congress leaders, Kumaraswamy said he was unaware of power connection drawn from the nearby electric pole and clarified that he had engaged a private decorator to illuminate his J.P. Nagar residence and that the decorator had drawn power supply from nearby electric pole for testing purpose on Monday and after the power connection from a nearby electric pole came to my notice power connection was disconnected and power was drawn from meter board itself.

Continuing, he said, there was no need to create an issue out of nothing by Congress leaders and stated that he was ready to pay a penalty.  

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru city incharge Minister D.K. Shivakumar said he welcomed H.D. Kumaraswamy for admitting power theft at his residence and to pay a penalty for it imposed by BESCOM officials.

Shivakumar said officials concerned of BESCOM would initiate action against Kumaraswamy for drawing power connection illegally to his residence.