Pramesh S Jain & Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
T
aking cognizance on the tragic death of 23-year-old woman and her nine-month-old daughter due to electrocution in Kadugodi on Sunday,Lokayukta justice BS Patil on Wednesday directed to initiate suo- motu proceeding against the officials concerned.
In the oder,Lokayukta also directed the registrer to summon the officials including the additional chief secretary,energy department,Managing Director of BESCOM,Chief engineer,Superintendent engineer among the seven officials for questioning and to record their statement by 8 of December .
The lokayukta also directed the superintendent of police to conduct spot inspection and conduct necessary investigation and submit the report by next hearing scheduled for December 8.
In his order,Justice,BS.Patil,said that its the duty of BESCOM to ensure proper maintenance of electrical wire and carry out inspections regularly and attend complaints immediately .
The Accident abstract found on BESCOM website shows that from 2015 -2016 to 2021-2022 on an average 200 to 280 accidents reported every year.
Prima facie there has been a negligence on part of the officials entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining electrical line .
Non maintenance of electrical line in a reasonable condition would amount to grave deriliction of duty, Opined, Justice,Patil,in the order .
Such deriliction will probe fatal to the lives of the people.Right to life means quality of life and nobody is safe without there being proper electric line.
The BESCOM is collecting electricity charges from the public who are in turn expect corresponding facility from the authorities to make life comfortable and hassel free.
The uninsulated wires hanging on every corner of the street,trees and buildings,telephone poles and transformers pose danger to the publicly walking on pavements.
The officials concerned failed to take required caution which led to the accident and loss of life and therefore this matter required detailed investigations to fix responsibilities and find a permanent solution to prevent such incidents in future,Justice, Patil,said.
