FIR registered against Kumaraswamy for power theft to illuminate residence for Deepavali

BENGALURU: An FIR has been registered against JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for stealing power directly from a Bescom electricity pole in front of the house. The Bescom Vigilance Squad has filed a case against Kumaraswamy for power theft under Section 135 of the Karnataka Electricity Act at the Jayanagar police station.

After the video went viral on social media, Bescom officials visited the former Chief Minister’s residence and conducted an inspection.

Former CM Kumaraswamy was caught in a fresh controversy during Deepavali. The Congress in Karnataka has accused former CM Kumaraswamy of allegedly illuminating his JP Nagar residence by using stolen electricity.

The ruling party posted a video along with several statements and questions on X, which is now doing the rounds on social media platforms.

ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಏಕೈಕ ಮಹಾಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರ ಜೆ ಪಿ ನಗರದ ನಿವಾಸದ ದೀಪಾವಳಿಯ ದೀಪಾಲಂಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಂಬದಿಂದ ಅಕ್ರಮ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಸಂಪರ್ಕ ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಾಜಿ ಸಿಎಂ ಆಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಕಳ್ಳತನ ಮಾಡುವ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಬಂದಿದ್ದು ದುರಂತ!@hd_kumaraswamy ಅವರೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಗೃಹಜ್ಯೋತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 200 ಯೂನಿಟ್… pic.twitter.com/7GKHeRyQuS

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) November 14, 2023

Karnataka Congress taunted Kumaraswamy on X saying, “If you are so poor and desperate to steal electricity, then why don’t you apply for the Gruha Jyothi Yojana”?

Taking dig at Kumaraswamy’ past statements against the ruling party, the Congress called him the ‘most sincere in the world’ and pointed out that his JP Nagar residence was illuminated with decorative lights using electricity illegally drawn from an electric pole. “It is a tragedy that a former CM has reached such a situation where he has to steal electricity. Our government has promised of 200 units free per house, per month under Gruha Jyothi scheme and not 2,000 units. If he was so desperate, why didn’t he apply for the scheme”, Congress questioned.

Despite the shortfall of power in the state, Kumaraswamy used to talk about it even though the government has taken measures to provide 7 hours electricity to the farmers. Are you facing such a “drought” that you had to resort to such a cheap theft? Didn’t you hold a press conference and claim Karnataka is in the dark? Now you have lit up your house with stolen electricity?”, the Congress questioned.

“When your house is shining like this, how can you say that Karnataka is in the dark? To be asked in 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 from the farmers’ share? Do you want to make people Diwali (bankrupt) by celebrating ‘Deepavali festival’ grandly in your house? How much more can you loot the state before?” Congress asked.

After the video went viral, Kumaraswamy admitted to drawing power illegally and said it was the decorator’s mistake. “I asked them to remove it immediately and connect it to the meter board”, he claimed.

“Bescom officials can conduct an inspection and issue a notice. “I will pay the fine. But Congress is making it a big issue to get publicity. I pity their mentality”, Kumaraswamy hit back at Congress.

Responding to the Congress allegations, Kumaraswamy said, “A private decorator was assigned to decorate my house with lights for Deepavali festival. After decorating the house with electric lights, they connected electricity from the nearby Bescom pole and tested it. I was at the Bidadi Farmhouse, and I returned home last night. When this matter came to my attention, I immediately asked them to remove the connection and link it to the meter board of our house. This is the reality. There is nothing secret in this”.

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 | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) November 14, 2023

“I apologise for this indiscretion. Let the Bescom officials come and inspect and issue a notice. I will pay the fine, but the Congress is making it a big issue for publicity”, he charged.

Deputy CM Shivakumar said Bescom will take action against those drawing power illegally.

“I have not taken or misappropriated any state property. I never put up a fence in other people’s land. I do not have any thirst for wealth by taking the blood of others. The Deputy Chief Minister said that Kumaraswamy has stolen electricity and Bescom should take action. I will be at home. Let the Bescom officials come. I am ready for any action by them”, he asserted.