Snapped power line in waterlogged Rishikesh area kills mother, two-year-old daughter; UPCL engineer suspended

Key points

• The woman's husband, Harpal Singh Jethudi, lodged a complaint against UPCL Executive Engineer (EE) Shakti Prasad, Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) Shashikant…
• Police said a case has been registered under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation has been…
• Taking a serious view of the incident, UPCL Managing Director Prakash Chandra Dhyani ordered the suspension of Junior Engineer Bahuguna…
• Pushpa Rawat, a local and a member of the Tehri Garhwal Zila Panchayat, has demanded financial assistance of Rs 1…

While the woman saved her 12-year-old son by signalling him to stay away from the live current, a 32-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter were electrocuted after a rain-snapped power line fell into a waterlogged area in Rishikesh’s Khadri Gram Sabha on Sunday evening.

The woman’s husband, Harpal Singh Jethudi, lodged a complaint against UPCL Executive Engineer (EE) Shakti Prasad, Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) Shashikant Singh and JE Bahuguna in connection with the incident.

Taking serious note of the incident on Sunday evening in the Khadri Gram Sabha area, Shambhu Prasad Bahuguna, a Junior Engineer (JE) with the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), was suspended on Monday, officials stated.

Police said a case has been registered under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation has been initiated.

What happened

According to the police, the incident occurred late Sunday evening when a low-tension (LT) line, snapped by rain and strong winds, fell into a waterlogged area on the road.

The current spread through the water, electrocuting Suman and her daughter, Srishti, whom she was carrying in her arms.

Her 12-year-old son was also present but she managed to save his life by asking him to stay away, office-holders said.

Following the incident, agitated locals demanded compensation for the affected family and action against those responsible.

The details

Pushpa Rawat, a local and a member of the Tehri Garhwal Zila Panchayat, has demanded financial assistance of Rs 1 crore for the victim’s family.

She stated that, prima facie, this is a case of departmental negligence. According to She, locals had been demanding the installation of aerial bunching cables for the past year, and had these cables been installed, the accident would not have occurred.

Taking a serious view of the incident, UPCL Managing Director Prakash Chandra Dhyani ordered the suspension of Junior Engineer Bahuguna of the Raiwala electricity distribution subdivision with immediate effect.

Dhyani convened an emergency meeting in Dehradun to review the matter and ordered a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident.

Why it matters

A three-member inquiry committee comprising officials of chief engineer rank has been constituted to conduct a detailed probe and has been directed to submit a report immediately.

The UPCL managing director clarified that strict action, in accordance with the rules, would be taken against anyone found responsible during the investigation.

Following the accident, Dhyani directed office-holders to launch a special safety inspection and preventive maintenance drive for power lines and other electrical assets across the state, under which all LT lines will undergo intensive scrutiny.

Potential faults and hot spots will be identified by inspecting joints, terminals, connections, and other critical points using thermal vision cameras under load conditions. Special priority will be given to waterlogged areas, markets, schools, hospitals, densely populated zones, and public thoroughfares.

Background

Dhyani issued a stern warning to officials and staff that any negligence, delay, or apathy regarding electrical safety would not be tolerated, and action would be taken against those identified responsible.

(With Inputs From PTI)