Ex-Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy pays over Rs 68K fine to Bescom for 'stealing' electricity for Diwali decoration

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has paid a fine of Rs 68,526 for illegally using electricity from an electric pole near his house to illuminate his JP Nagar house during Deepavali.

This was confirmed by Kumaraswamy himself in a press conference here on Friday.

He however alleged that the fine was unjust and exhorbitant, and found flaws in the FIR filed against him.

The former Chief Minister clarified that it was a mistake of the private decorator who took connection from the electric pole without his knowledge, and as soon as he came to know of it, he got it removed. "I did not loot in the scale of the Congress does. They can't silence me," he said. (UNI)