SHRC directs govt to pay Rs 50k to shock victim

The Commission also asked the government to give instructions to the Tangedco to be vigilant in maintaining electric lines in accordance with the Electricity Act, 1935, and Electricity Rules.

According to the complainant, KVS Manikumar of Kallipalayam in Tirupur, his daughter Sangeetha was studying Class 5 in Panchayat Union Primary School. On July 16, 2018, when she went to the rear side of the school, a live wire fell on her, causing injuries. Hearing her cries, a teacher rescued her. She was rushed to the Palladam GH, from where she was taken to Tirupur GH, and was then referred to Coimbatore GH for further treatment for neurological problem.

Manikumar filed a complaint against Ramesh, headmaster of Kallipalayam Panchayat Union Primary School, KV Sathyanarayanan, assistant engineer (operations and maintenance),Tangedco, and Amal Arockia Dass, SI, Kamanaickenpalayam police station. The inspector was included in the complaint for failing to register FIR and treated it as CSR No.44/2018.

In their reply, the respondents said that on July 16, an electric wire passing through the school was damaged due to heavy storm and rain, adding that the girl suffered only simple injuries on her left hand and foot. The teachers had instructed the students not to go near the damaged wires, but Sangeetha was not aware of it as she was late to school. They also added that Sangeetha was already suffering from epilepsy. But the Commission held that the incident took place due to AE Sathyanarayanan’s negligence. If he had maintained the live wire crossed upon the school in a proper manner, the incident could have been avoided. But the SI and headmaster were not directly liable for the incident, it held.

It cited a Madras High Court judgment to point out that the State was liable for acts committed by its employees in the course of their employment, and directed the government to pay Rs 50,000 on behalf of the assistant engineer.