Lokayukta names 11 officials after ₹50-lakh crop fire in Vijayapura
The Karnataka Lokayukta has registered a suo motu case against 11 government officials over a fire that destroyed crops and agricultural assets estimated at ₹50 lakh in Hallur village of Muddebihal taluk in Vijayapura district.
The fire, which broke out on October 26, is alleged to have been triggered by an electrical short circuit involving low-hanging high-tension wires and poorly maintained transformer centres. Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil ordered the investigation after going through a preliminary spot inspection report submitted by the Lokayukta Superintendent of Police.
According to the report, standing crops spread over nearly 20 acres and eight guntas were completely destroyed. Among the worst affected are Mahadevi and Kashinath Angadi, who lost 400 tonnes of sugarcane worth about ₹11 lakh, along with 40 coconut trees, 35 lemon trees and 35 sprinkler pipelines. Their annual income from the coconut and lemon trees has been estimated at ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh and ₹8.5 lakh respectively.
Another farmer, Devendra Ganganna Biradar, lost 160 tonnes of sugarcane valued at around ₹5 lakh, as well as coconut and lemon trees and an onion storage shed. Shantagouda Hanumantray Meti lost about 500 tonnes of sugarcane worth ₹16 lakh, besides coconut trees and 120 sprinkler pipes.
The Lokayukta observed that officials of the Hubli Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) and the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) had allegedly failed to maintain electrical lines and ensure compliance with safety norms. Farmers had reportedly submitted written complaints about the dangerous condition of the electrical infrastructure, but no preventive action was taken.
The order also flagged the alleged inaction of the Muddebihal tahsildar and the Taluk Agriculture Officer, who reportedly did not visit the affected area, assess the damage or arrange interim compensation even after a police case had been registered.
The Lokayukta has treated the alleged lapses as maladministration under Section 2(10) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1985. Assessment of crop damage for compensation generally requires revenue and agriculture officials to jointly survey the affected land, a step the order notes was not taken.
Eleven officials, including the Vijayapura Deputy Commissioner and senior officials of Hescom and KPTCL, have been made respondents in the case, and notices are to be issued to them.
The Deputy Commissioner, the tahsildar and the Taluk Agriculture Officer have been directed to conduct a joint inspection, submit a comprehensive assessment of the crop losses and prepare an action plan for providing immediate interim compensation to the affected farmers.
Electricity department officials have also been asked to explain why works sanctioned during 2024–25 were not completed, and to submit technical safety inspection reports detailing the measures taken to rectify the low-hanging electrical wires.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for November 30.
