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New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary CS), Government of NCT of Delhi, to show cause why a sum of Rs 3 lakh should not be recommended to be paid to the next of kin of Robin Thomas, who was electrocuted to death at Dilshad Garden, on May 21, 2017, due to the negligence on part of M/s BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. M/s. BSES Yamuna Power Ltd has also been directed to submit a report on the safeguards taken to avoid such accidents in future. They have been given four weeks to submit reports.
The Commission has observed that ensuring proper maintenance of the electrical lines and providing adequate safety measures is the only way out for protection from electric shock during rain/thunder shower, which in the instant case, the BSES Yamuna Power Ltd appears to have failed to provide, according to an NHRC release.
The Commission took cognizance of the incident on the basis of a complaint that a student Robin Thomas, resident of 71-A, E-Block, GTB Enclave, Delhi, died on the road due to electric shock from a broken livewire. On consideration of material on record, in response to its notices to the concerned authorities, the NHRC found that an FIR No. 334/17 had already been registered in the case at Seemapuri Police Station u/s 304A of Indian Penal Code. The Deputy Secretary, Department of Power, Government of NCT of Delhi, clearly said that the accident could have been avoided, if earth guarding was provided under the said overhead line.
The Commission also observed that contact with electricity can cause loss of a life and therefore safety measures are taken to ensure that people don’t come in direct contact with it. Hence, the BSES report that there was no negligence on part of the BYPL officials can’t be accepted. Even if the contention of the BSES is to be believed, it would practically mean that electric supply should be stopped, whenever there is rain/thundershower to avoid electric shock, which does not appear to be feasible, said the NHRC release.