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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Smart meters only for new homes, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd tells Karnataka high court
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Bescom) told high court that installation of smart meters is applicable only to new houses and not existing electricity connections. The clarification came during a hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Karnataka Vidyuth Sene and others. The petitioners contended that consumers were being compelled to shift to smart meters despite existing ones functioning properly. They also questioned the procurement process, stating smart meters were being offered at higher rates, whereas other states had distributed them for around Rs 900 per unit. The petitioners argued as per Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) regulations, smart meter installation is optional. However, recent circulars and tender notifications allegedly make the transition compulsory. After briefly hearing the matter, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi issued notices to the state govt, KERC, and Bescom. The hearing has been adjourned. The petitioners have sought quashing of the circulars, adherence to KERC's regulations, and compliance with transparency laws in public procurement. They also requested that consumers with working static meters should not be forced to bear the cost of replacement.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bengaluru Stampede: Karnataka High Court questions government over placing report in 'sealed cover'
The Karnataka High Court has questioned the state government about keeping the stampede report sealed. This relates to the incident on June 4, which caused 11 deaths. The court wants transparency in the investigation. It plans to appoint an amicus curiae for assistance. The court also intends to involve KSCA, RCB, and DNA Networks in the proceedings. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government for insisting on keeping its status report on the stampede in a sealed cover and underlined transparency and accountability in the investigation the suo motu petition over the stampede, that claimed 11 lives on June 4, came up for hearing before Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice CM Joshi, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty said the government was not shying away from disclosure, but wanted to avoid prejudicing ongoing inquiries."We will place both reports next week," he said, referring to preliminary findings and interim assessments prepared by the state. The AG stressed that certain observations in the report were of preliminary nature and could be sensationalised by the media if made public bench reiterated that it would consider the question of keeping the status report inside a sealed cover and announced its decision to appoint an amicus curiae. Further, the court said it would seek assistance from the amicus curiae before arriving at a decision on the court indicated a clear preference for transparency and accountability in the investigation AG sought an adjournment of 20 to 25 days to allow all reports to come in. However, the bench appeared unconvinced. "Why should that restrict us?" the court asked, reiterating that the proceedings were not limited by the state's internal court said it intended to implead the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and DNA Networks -- three entities involved in the conduct and management of the IPL match Advocates representing various applicants called for public disclosure of the state's report, arguing that transparency and accountability are vital.A counsel, quoting from a legal precedent, said, "A one-sided submission causes serious violation of natural justice." Another added, "Sealed covers lead to a culture of opacity."The bench directed the counsel seeking enhancement of compensation for victims to submit their application to the Advocate General so the state could respond court ordered that notices be issued to KSCA, RCB, and DNA Networks, making them party respondents. The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Stampede deaths: Karnataka HC takes up suo moto case, SIT may probe lapses
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday took suo moto cognizance of the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday that claimed 11 lives and left about 90 injured. The tragedy occurred as people rushed to the gates of the congested stadium to see their favourite cricket stars of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team after they lifted the IPL finals cup. There were public interest litigations (PILs) and requests to the court to go deep into the case as they expressed doubts over the event organisers and the government having followed the necessary protocols before holding events of such magnitudes at such short notice. A division bench of acting chief justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi said the court has received requests from several people on the subject to ascertain the cause of the tragedy and prevent such incidents in future. The court posted the case for further hearing to June 10, Tuesday. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty said the Police Commissioner and other senior police officers were present at the site, but there was an overwhelming crowd of about 2.5 lakh people at the stadium. One of the advocates, speaking on behalf of the affected people, prayed for an independent inquiry insisting that the person (district magistrate) who was supposed to control the mob was deputed to conduct the inquiry now. Another advocate sought to know from the government through the court as to who decided to conduct the events -- the state government or the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)? Security is RCB responsiblity The A-G, in response to a query from the Bench, said the RCB promoters handled the event and took care of the security as well. A PIL filed by Lohith G Hanumapura requested a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge, while seeking direction to the state government and the KSCA to share details such as approvals obtained to hold the two events on Wednesday, safety measures and crowd control plans. Bengaluru Urban magistrate G Jagadeesha on Thursday visited the stadium area as part of a magisterial probe the government ordered into the incident with directions to submit the report in two weeks. Earlier in the day, MoS (Labour & Employment) Shobha Karandlaje wrote to the Acting CJ requesting him to take suo moto cognizance of the incident and treat it as a matter of public interest as it reflected a systemic failure and complete collapse of the state responsibility. 'Only the timely intervention of the court would uphold justice and restore public faith in governance and the rule of law, she said. FIR registered Shetty, the advocate general, also informed the Court that the government has transferred the FIR registered at the Cubbon Park police station to the CID with an order to form a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the charges mentioned in the complaint. The Cubbon Park Police on Thursday registered two FIRs naming RCB promoters, event management agency DNA and KSCA as the accused for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While one FIR was a suo motu one registered by the Cubbon Park police station, the other one was by an injured person naming the three entities as accused.
NDTV
05-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
'Will Find Out If Tragedy Could Have Been Avoided': High Court On Stampede
Bengaluru: Taking note of the stampede in Bengaluru during the celebrations of RCB's victory in the IPL, the Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the state government and sought a status report. In a hearing on Thursday, a bench of Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi said it has taken suo moto cognisance to ascertain whether the tragedy could have been prevented and what measures can be taken to ensure this does not happen in the future. Eleven people, including a 14-year-old girl, died and 47 were injured in the stampede. The Attorney General of Karnataka highlighted that there was enough police deployment, but the crowd at the stadium on Wednesday was much bigger than expected. "There was a huge crowd, people not only came from Bengaluru but from around the state and even from outside. 2.5 lakh people came because it was published that it is free entry," the attorney general (AG) said When the court asked whether all the casualties occurred at the stadium, the AG said they occurred near the entry gates. "We are concerned about it as much as anyone else. The first statement given by the chief minister was about compensation to be given and medical treatment to be provided. We have been working... We are open to any suggestions," he said. The next hearing in the case will be on Tuesday. Speaking to NDTV on Thursday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed grief over the incident and said the state government is sorry. "Can't express the pain that I am suffering. Never expected this to happen. The entire state was watching. We are very sorry," Mr Shivakumar said, adding, "(We) don't want to politicise this issue. Have to rectify what went wrong. At the same time, all our part of our family. We will join with them in this grief."
Mint
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
‘It was a total frenzy': Karnataka tells HC after 11 die in Bengaluru stampede, court takes suo motu cognisance
The Karnataka government on Thursday told the state HC said that the situation outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was a 'total frenzy' as 11 were killed in a deadly stampede on June 4. Hearing the matter, the Karnataka High Court decided to take suo motu cognisance of the incident. 'We have expressed ourselves to the Advocate General and he has filed a status report, which is taken on record. Registry is directed to register this suo-motu cognisance as suo-moto WP,' a division bench of Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi said. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, representing the State said that that the Chinnaswamy stadium is meant to hold about 30,000 people, but 2.5 lakh people showed up to witness the victory ceremony after Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL title after 18 years. 'The stadium was meant to accommodate about 30,000 people but 2.5 lakh people showed up. The stampede took place after 'free entry' was announced. Each person who rushed thought they would only be one more additional person,' the Advocate General said on behalf of the Karnataka government. (This is a breaking news story. Details to be added soon)
