Former Karnataka Chief Minister and leader of Janata Dal Secular - JD(S), HD Kumaraswamy has paid Rs 68,526 fine to the government for 'stealing electricity' during the Diwali celebrations. Though Kumaraswamy has paid the penalty, he has lambasted the ruling Congress government for being unjust and for filing a flawed First Information Report (FIR). 

Kumaraswamy has been accused of stealing electricity from an illegal connection to light up his residence in JP Nagar during the Diwali festival. Under the grounds of stealing electricity, the former Chief Minister was levied a fine of Rs 68,526. On Friday- November 17, Kumaraswamy, the son of former Prime Minister HD Deva Gowda, has said that he has paid the fine and called it as unjust and excessive.

According to PTI, Kumaraswamy had protested the way the fine amount was calculated and found flaws in the FIR registered against him. He further alleged the event of imposing a fine as a witch-hunt against him for being vocal against the ruling Congress government. In a letter to the Assistant Executive Engineer of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) vigilance police station, Kumaraswamy blamed the electricity contractor hired by his staff who had for testing purposes drawn a wire and connected it directly to the electric pole opposite his house. 

Kumaraswamy said, "Immediately after coming to know the same, I informed my staff to disconnect the wire from the electric pole. I was not at home when this illumination work was being carried out or was being tested and I was in my house in Bidadi, Ramanagara district. The electrician worked on his own independently, without my knowledge." 

He claimed that the FIR against him was flawed with defects, as the complainant BESCOM assistant executive engineer, has stated that he had personally seen the theft taking place but the facts were contrary to the claim. As per his statement, the BESCOM engineer, who registered a case against him, made it clear to him that he came to inspect the residential building after seeing the video on electronic and social media.

Kumaraswamy said, "In the face of an unjust and excessive demand for payment to be made, it is my right as a consumer to voice my concern and protest against such practices. I am of the opinion that this is a political witch-hunt against me for the series of tweets and press meets conducted by me in connection to mismanagement of power sources against the present government which is run by a rival party headed by my arch rivals and also the head of the states who have given statements to the electronic media that I have committed a theft of electricity."