A Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) in Bareilly has delivered a significant verdict, holding the electricity department accountable for negligence leading to the tragic deaths of a man and his elderly mother. The court has directed the power utility to pay a total compensation of Rs 14.7 lakh to the grieving family.
Court Holds Department Negligent for Fatal Accident
The bench, comprising PLA chairman Kalicharan and members Sanjeev Kumar Gautam and Anita Yadav, passed the order on Saturday. It ruled that the department was negligent in maintaining an 11KV high-tension line in Dhamipur village under the Hafizganj police station limits. The court gave the power corporation a strict deadline of one month to release the compensation. Failure to comply will make the corporation liable to pay interest at the rate of 7% per annum from the date the petitions were filed.
The case records reveal a distressing story of ignored complaints. The 11KV line was passing dangerously low over the house of Sher Singh, a resident of Dhamipur village, violating prescribed safety norms. Both Sher Singh and the then-village pradhan had repeatedly approached electricity officials, pleading for the line to be repaired and elevated. Despite these warnings, no action was taken to rectify the hazardous situation.
A Double Tragedy Unfolds in Dhamipur Village
The negligence culminated in a devastating incident on February 13, 2024, around 5:30 PM. Sher Singh was electrocuted when he came into contact with the high-tension wire while using the rooftop toilet. Hearing his cries, his mother, Ram Kunwar, rushed to his aid. In her attempt to save her son, she also suffered severe burn injuries from the live wire. Sher Singh died instantly at the spot. Ram Kunwar fought for her life but ultimately succumbed to her injuries on March 25 during treatment.
Following the dual tragedy, Sher Singh's wife, Rupwati, filed a petition before the PLA seeking compensation for her husband's death. Subsequently, Sher Singh's father, Ram Bharose, also approached the court seeking redress for the death of his wife, Ram Kunwar. The PLA heard both petitions together.
Court's Detailed Compensation Breakdown
The court firmly rejected the submissions made by the electricity department officials. It observed that the high-tension line was indeed hanging below safety standards and that the "department failed to take corrective measures despite repeated complaints." This clear finding of negligence formed the basis for the compensation award.
The court issued a detailed breakdown of the compensation:
- For Sher Singh's death, the electricity corporation must pay Rs 12 lakh as compensation to his wife, Rupwati, along with an additional Rs 50,000 for mental and economic loss.
- Out of the Rs 12 lakh, Rs 6.2 lakh will be deposited in a fixed deposit in a nationalized bank in the name of the couple's minor son, Aryan, until he attains adulthood.
- From the remaining Rs 6.2 lakh, Rs 3 lakh will be paid directly to Rupwati for the child's upbringing, while Rs 3.2 lakh will be kept in a three-year fixed deposit.
In the second case for the death of Ram Kunwar, the court directed that her husband, Ram Bharose, be paid Rs 2 lakh as compensation, along with Rs 20,000 for mental and economic loss.
This ruling underscores the legal responsibility of public utility departments to ensure public safety and the consequences of ignoring citizen complaints. The PLA's order serves as a stern reminder that negligence leading to loss of life will be met with stringent financial accountability.
