Adilabad: Consumer panel asks TGNPDCL to pay Rs 5.54L to spouse of man who died of electrocution

Hyderabad: District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Adilabad has directed the Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGNPDCL), Adilabad, to pay Rs 5 lakh as an ex-gratia to the spouse of a person who died of electrocution.

It also directed to pay Rs 52,000 as compensation and Rs 2,500 as the costs.

Case details

Erra Swamy (53), a daily wage laborer died in August 2023 due to electrocution. Swamy was the sole breadwinner of his family. On August 25, 2023, Erra Swamy went to Tamsi village to attend his relatives' funeral. He went to the pond to bring the water for the funeral. En route, Swamy came in contact with a snapped electrical wire in the bushes.

Swamy was shifted to RIMS, Hospital Adilabad for treatment. Doctors however declared him dead on arrival. Tamsi Police registered a case and started inquest proceedings. Duty Medical Officer RIMS, Adilabad conducted an autopsy and concluded that Swamy died of electric shock.

Due to Swamy’s sudden death, his wife Gangamma lost her sole breadwinner and sustained mental shock and agony. Gangamma alleged that her husband died due to carelessness and negligence of the TGNPDCL. She said TSNPDCL was liable to pay her compensation.

Gangamma knocked on the doors of the Commission.

TGNPDCL denies deficiency in service

On August 25, TGNPDCL said there was a heavy gale and wind with thunder and as a result, the LT conductor snapped and fell in the bushes. Swamy went to a nearby river to collect water.

While clearing the bushes, he came in contact with the live conductor and was electrocuted and died.

TGNPDCL said that the snapping of the conductor was not due to negligence, disservice, or carelessness of the Corporation but because of heavy gale and wind which was beyond its control.

TGNPDCL also argued that it cannot be held responsible for the death of the deceased and as such the complainant is not entitled to claim ex-gratia or compensation.

After the accident, the Assistant Divisional Engineer (OP) TGNPDCL, Adilabad Rural inspected the spot, made inquiries, and prepared a report. Hence the TGNPDCL prayed the Commission to dismiss the complaint with costs.

After hearing the arguments from both parties, the Court said that the TGNPDCL must check the lines 24/7. However, it failed to do so. It also opined that had the TGNPDCL performed their duties perfectly the complainant’s husband would not have met this tragic end.

The Commission ruled in favor of Gangamma and directed the TGNPDCL to pay an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh and compensation of Rs 52,000 to her.