Belagavi, 25 September

Karnataka Congress MLC Channaraj Hattiholi has been accused of assaulting two Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) officials at his residence in Kuvempu Nagar, Belagavi. Hattiholi is the brother of Congress MLA and former minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar. According to the allegation, the officials were called to his house on Thursday morning and assaulted. The officials were identified as HESCOM Assistant Executive Engineer Deepak D and Section Officer Raju Chavan.

HESCOM had disconnected the electricity supply to Lakshmi Stone Crusher in Tarihal village, Belagavi taluk. The unit belongs to Pramod Jadhav, described as a close aide of Hattiholi, and had outstanding dues of Rs 77,360 for three months. The supply was disconnected on Thursday over non-payment.

The officials alleged that Hattiholi summoned them and questioned why the connection had been cut. Deepak alleged that they were abused and assaulted.

After the incident, HESCOM staff went to APMC police station and staged a sit-in, demanding that an FIR be registered. Further details are awaited.