After Congress’ allegation FIR filed against Kumaraswamy for alleged ‘power theft’ for Deepavali lighting

Karnataka Congress shared a video showing a cable, stretching out from the terrace of Mr. Kumaraswamy’s residence at J.P. Nagar in Bengaluru, and connecting directly to a power line across the street

A screengrab of the video that shows former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy’s house in Bengaluru illuminated by lights on the occasion of Deepavali, on November 13, 2023 | Photo Credit: @INCKarnataka/X

After the JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was accused of ‘power theft’ by ruling Congress, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) Vigilance Unit on November 14 filed an FIR against Mr. Kumaraswamy.

On Tuesday, the Karnataka Congress posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), showing a cable, stretching out from the terrace of Mr. Kumaraswamy’s house at J.P. Nagar, and connecting directly to a power line across the street.

Taking a jibe at Mr. Kumaraswamy, the Congress said: “If you were facing financial problems, you could have applied for Gruha Jyothi scheme, which ensures free power of up to 200 units per month. The JD(S) leader has been criticising the government’s guarantees, including free power to households.

The Bescom officials went to Mr Kumaraswamy’s house in JP Nagar and inspected it and filed an FIR. According to officials, the investigation is going on.

Power cable had been put up by a decorator

Mr. Kumaraswamy clarified that the lighting was put up by a private decorator and the connection to the power line was removed after he found out about it. He hit out at the Congress for ‘making a big issue of a small thing’. The former Karnataka Chief Minister said he was open to an investigation by power authorities into the matter and would willingly pay a fine if served a notice.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar later congratulated Mr. Kumaraswamy for admitting to the ‘power theft’. Mr. Shivakumar said people in responsible positions should not indulge in such acts. “The government will not interfere in this. The department concerned or Bescom will take action,” he said.