In a heart-wrenching incident at Hope Farm Junction, a 23-year-old woman named Soundharya and her nine-month-old baby met a tragic end after being electrocuted on the footpath. The incident has raised questions about the negligence on the part of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM).
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According to police officers familiar with the matter, the unfortunate incident occurred around 6 am when Soundharya, a resident of AKG colony, was walking on the footpath with her daughter in her arms. It is reported that they accidentally stepped on a live wire left unattended on the footpath, resulting in their electrocution. Soundharya’s husband, Kumar, who was with them, narrowly escaped the electrocution, despite his attempts to save them.
The couple, returning to Bengaluru after celebrating Deepavali in their hometown in Salem, got off the bus near Hope Farm junction. The authorities suspect that Soundharya may have mistaken the live wire for an optical fiber cable, leading to the tragic incident. Kumar, in his efforts to rescue them, also suffered an electric shock.
Source : Oneindia News
In response to the incident, three BESCOM officials have been detained and are currently undergoing questioning. A case of negligence causing death under section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at the Kadugodi police station against the concerned Bescom officials. The officials include executive engineer Sriram, assistant executive engineer Subramani, assistant engineer Chetan, and staff members Rajanna and Manju.
The tragic event has reignited concerns about pedestrian safety in Bengaluru, prompting citizens to criticize the negligence on the part of Bescom. Bengaluru Central Member of Parliament (MP) PC Mohan has condemned the incident, emphasizing the urgent need for preventive measures by Bescom. The citizen group Whitefield Rising has called for strict action against the erring officials, highlighting the criminal negligence that led to the loss of a young life.
The incident at Hope Farm Junction echoes previous electrocution cases in Bengaluru, shedding light on the city’s infrastructure and safety protocols. Similar incidents in the past have resulted in fatalities, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Source : Vartha Bharthi
In September of the previous year, a girl lost her life due to electrocution after slipping on a waterlogged road, leading to a complaint against Bescom. In April 2022, a 22-year-old man suffered a similar fate after coming into contact with a cable wire while walking on a pavement near a park. These incidents underscore the urgency for immediate action to enhance safety standards and prevent further loss of lives.
