TNEB told to pay Rs 6 lakhs relief to girl’s father

Justice S Vaidyanathan, on noting that though there is no codified law for arriving at the quantum of compensation in cases of these types, said, “In the case on hand, the petitioner’s daughter is a school going student.

Since the victim succumbed to the injuries, this court feels it appropriate to fix the minimum monthly income of the victim as Rs 3, 000 and following the ratio laid down by the Supreme Court, this court is of the view that the petitioner is entitled to a sum of Rs 6 lakh as compensation for the death of his elder daughter Prema in the incident.”

According to the petitioner, his daughter Prema (12), while returning from her school on a bi-cycle and passing through water stagnated up to her ankle level at Mahalakshmi Nagar Main Road, fell and contacted a live electric cable on the road with her right hand, sustaining grievous injuries.

She was admitted to a hospital in Thiruvottiyur and subsequently in Nungambakkam, where she died on August 22, 2006. However, the girl’s father, who has been representing to the government for adequate compensation, had moved the court after his advocate’s notice to TNEB had come forth with a response from the Assistant Engineer, TNEB, Jothi Nagar in 2009, that in heavy rainy days, it is common for electric induction in the cables and that the girl got hold of the electric cable by herself and hence, the TNEB is not responsible for the accident.

The Judge, while offering the compensation, also directed TNEB to pay the said amount at 6 per cent per annum from the date of accident till the date of payment, within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. The judge also held that the amount could be reimbursed from the concerned staff, who had visited the petitioner, collected details and assured necessary monetary relief.