Electrocution deaths: Telangana HC lambasts TGSPDCL, internet providers, cable operators for negligence

Hyderabad: Taking strong note of lapses that resulted in the electrocution of six people, the Telangana High Court came down heavily on TGSPDCL, private internet providers, and cable operators for negligence that led to wires dangling dangerously from electricity poles.

Judge questions Public Safety Accountability

Justice Nagesh Bheemakpaka questioned the utility companies and service providers on who would be held accountable for public safety.

“Who will take responsibility for the lives of the people? Neither the Central nor the State government nor GHMC owns responsibility. Institutions like GHMC and power utilities focus only on revenue collection by permitting service providers to use poles, but ignore public safety,” he observed.

Airtel challenges Government Order to remove cables

The court heard an urgent petition filed by Bharti Airtel Ltd, challenging the government order to disconnect cable lines from electricity poles after the incident.

Senior counsel S. Ravi, representing Airtel, said the company had obtained all necessary permissions from TGSPDCL to lay optical fibre cables (OFC) under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Right of Way Rules, 2024.

Ravi added that Airtel had paid about Rs 21 crore in pole rental and compensation charges since 2021. Despite this compliance, TGSPDCL officials had indiscriminately cut and removed Airtel’s cables without prior notice, violating Rule 18 of the Right of Way Rules.

The counsel emphasized that the disruption affected hospitals, courts, and businesses, and argued that telecom services, being essential, cannot be arbitrarily interrupted.

TGSPDCL cites overloaded poles, questions petition

TGSPDCL counsel N. Sridhar Reddy countered that the petition was repetitive, noting a similar plea had been withdrawn earlier. He added that many poles were already overloaded with cables exceeding permissible limits.

Court directs halt to further cable cuts

Justice Bheemakpaka questioned the delay in taking action, declined to order immediate restoration of the removed cables, and issued notices to the government.

The case has been posted for hearing on August 22.

Meanwhile, the court orally directed TGSPDCL to immediately stop any further removal of Airtel’s optical fibre cables.