Karnataka: Chinnaswamy Stadium's electricity cut off for not following rules; High Court reprimanded BESCOM

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has cut off the power supply to M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The reason cited is non-compliance with fire safety rules. The stadium's operations are overseen and managed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). This action was taken after the Director General of the Fire and Emergency Services Department sent a letter to the BESCOM Managing Director, directing the disconnection of power due to the stadium's failure to implement recommended fire safety measures. Currently, the stadium is running on generator power.

Earlier, the Karnataka High Court strongly reprimanded BESCOM for continuing to supply electricity to the stadium despite violations of fire safety protocols. The issue was raised during a hearing of KSCA's petition challenging the disconnection notice issued by BESCOM. Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav, sitting on a single bench, heard the petition.

The petitioner's counsel stated, "There have been some developments after BESCOM's notice and filing of an application in court. On June 12, BESCOM issued a disconnection notice and shut off the power. On June 17, an application challenging this was filed. The power was restored the same day."

The bench remarked that BESCOM continued to supply power despite knowing that KSCA had not complied with the rules. BESCOM's counsel, Likhit, informed the court that the power was restored at KSCA’s request and warned it could be disconnected again. The bench then emphasized that the government should issue a fire safety clearance letter. "If you provide power without consulting the government, the court will not remain silent," the bench stated. "Whatever mishaps have occurred so far are enough. Who will be responsible if another accident happens? If fire safety measures aren’t taken, let the stadium stay in darkness. Implementing fire safety measures is the only way to restore power. There must be zero tolerance for risks."

The KSCA counsel argued that appropriate steps are being taken and requested that BESCOM and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services be instructed not to take any further action. The bench responded, 'The court will not say anything further in this matter. BESCOM's counsel has given a verbal assurance they will disconnect the power, but only after consulting the government. If the government instructs otherwise, it will be done. Otherwise, BESCOM will be held responsible."

The Director General of the Department of Fire Safety and Emergency Services had issued an order to the BESCOM Managing Director on June 10, 2025, directing that power supply to KSCA be halted since July 7, 2011, due to negligence in implementing fire safety measures recommended in the department's consultation paper of May 11, 2023. Following this, BESCOM issued a disconnection notice to KSCA on June 12.