Former K'taka CM HD Kumaraswamy faces FIR for connecting Diwali lights illegally

HD Kumaraswamy/ File Photo

An FIR has been lodged against former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy over allegations of electricity theft during Diwali celebrations, creating an embarrassing situation for him.

Officials from the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) lodged the case at the BESCOM Vigilance Jayanagar Police Station on allegations that Kumaraswamy had unlawfully linked the Diwali lights at his JP Nagar home to a power pole. The Congress released a picture and a video to back up their assertion.

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"HD Kumaraswamy's JP Nagar residence's Diwali lighting has been illegally connected to the electric pole. It is a tragedy that a former CM has become a victim of electricity theft! Our government is giving 200 units free for in-home lighting, not 2000 units! If they were so desperate, they would not have applied for the Griha Jyoti Yojana. Oh, didn't know that in Grihajyoti, one is allowed only one metre; don't they have many metres in their name," Congress stated in a social media post.

The grand old party further wrote, "In spite of the lack of power in the state, even though they have taken measures to provide 7 hours of electricity to the farmers, are they facing such a "drought" that they resort to such cheap theft? Didn't you hold a press conference and say, "Karnataka is in the dark," and now you have lit your house with stolen electricity? When your house is shining like this, why do you say that Karnataka is in the dark? To ask your own style question, 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? Wanting a "Diwali" of the people or for your own? How much more can you loot the state?"

After the video went viral on social media, BESCOM officials took action against it.

Meanwhile, in response, Kumaraswamy clarified that the lights had been connected to a neighbouring pole for testing while he was away by a private decorator who had been contracted for the Diwali decorations. When Kumaraswamy realised this when he got back, he immediately unplugged the lights from the pole and plugged them in via the metre board of the house. He promised to pay any fines and apologised for the event.

Declaring he had not mishandled state property, Kumaraswamy accused the Karnataka Congress of making a PR stunt out of the problem. He also emphasised recent differences since his party allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), highlighting the ongoing difficulties between the Congress and Janata Dal-Secular.

"A private decorator was asked to decorate my house with electric lights for Diwali. After decorating the house with electric lights, they connected electricity from a nearby pole and tested it. Then I was in Bidadi. This matter came to my attention when I came back home last night. I immediately removed it and connected the electricity to the metre board of the house. This is the reality. There is nothing hidden in this. I am sorry for this indiscretion. Let the BESCOM officials come and inspect and issue a notice. I will pay the fine," he wrote.

"This is what INC Karnataka is doing to get publicity. I am concerned about the petty mentality of that party. I have not embezzled any state property. Kandava's land is not fenced. The thirst for wealth is not satisfied by drinking the blood of another. The deputy chief minister said that Kumaraswamy had stolen electricity, and BESCOM should take action. I am at home. Let the BESCOM officials come. I am ready for any move by them," he had written.