Incident at Dattagalli; residents report gas leak smell 

Mysuru: An FIR has been registered at Kuvempunagar Police Station against a contractor engaged by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) for allegedly damaging an underground Piped Natural Gas (PNG) pipeline while laying electric cables at Dattagalli. 

The contractor is also accused of covering up the damage without informing the gas distribution company, resulting in a gas leak and financial loss. The complaint was filed on Nov. 7 by a representative of AG&P, the gas distribution company. 

According to the complaint, on the night of Aug. 28, 2026, the company’s emergency helpline received a call from the public about a strong smell of gas and an unusual noise near Shop No. 3122 at Amma Apartment in Dattagalli. 

An emergency response team was immediately sent to the spot, where it found that an underground gas pipeline had been damaged during excavation for CESC cable-laying work carried out under the supervision of Channakeshava. 

The complaint alleged that those involved had filled the excavation pit with soil after damaging the pipeline, without informing AG&P. It also stated that the company had not been informed before excavation work was taken up in the area. 

With the damaged section buried under soil, emergency personnel had to isolate parts of the gas network and conduct an extensive search to trace the leak, the complaint stated. AG&P has estimated the loss at Rs. 47,990 and sought legal action against those responsible. 

Based on the complaint, the Police have registered a case under Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006, in connection with pipeline damage and negligence during excavation. 

Meanwhile, CESC contractor Channakeshava, against whom the complaint has been filed, told Star of Mysore that his team had carried out the underground cabling work in March. “The company made allegations against us in September and October, claiming that we had damaged the gas pipeline. The Police had called me to the station, so I went and spoke to them. We were busy with the Deepavali festival. Tomorrow, I will go and discuss the matter,” he said. 

AG&P officials were not available for comment.