23-Year-Old Woman and Nine-Month-Old Daughter Charred to Death in Bengaluru due to Negligence of Live Wire

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Tragedy Strikes as Woman and Infant Daughter Charred to Death in Bengaluru

Bengaluru was gripped with shock and grief as a 23-year-old woman and her nine-month-old daughter were tragically charred to death in an unfortunate incident on Sunday morning. The victims, identified as Soundarya and Suviksha Liya, had recently returned to the city after celebrating Deepavali in Tamil Nadu.

The incident occurred on Whitefield Main Road, just 100 meters away from the office of power utility Bescom. The mother and daughter accidentally stepped on a live wire that had been left abandoned on the pavement. Soundarya’s husband, Santhosh Kumar, who was walking a few steps behind them, made desperate attempts to save his family but suffered electrical shocks in the process.

Santhosh Kumar, a 24-year-old salesman in a furniture showroom, expressed his disbelief at the negligence that led to the tragic incident. He stated, “I never thought a city like Bengaluru, especially in an area surrounded by software companies, would witness such negligence with electric wires lying snapped on pavements. My wife failed to notice the cable because it was very misty early in the morning.”

The incident has sparked outrage among locals and various organizations, who are demanding justice for the victims. Energy minister KJ George announced an inquiry into the incident and the suspension of three Bescom staffers, including the lineman, assistant engineer, and assistant executive engineer. The government has also pledged to provide Rs 5 lakh in compensation to the grieving family.

In response to the incident, five Bescom officials have been arrested and charged with negligence causing death. However, they were later released on bail. The officials claimed that they had not been alerted about the snapped wire, while locals insisted that the wire had been lying there since 1:30 am.

The tragic event has highlighted the need for better maintenance and monitoring of electrical infrastructure in the city. Residents and local organizations have called for the suspension of the executive engineer as well, threatening to protest in front of Energy Minister KJ George’s residence if proper action is not taken.

Soundarya’s brother, Suresh S, revealed that she had visited her in-laws’ home in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district for Deepavali and had returned to Bengaluru on Sunday morning. Soundarya’s parents reside in AKG Colony, approximately 1.5 km away from the pavement where the electrocution occurred.

The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with residents and organizations organizing protests at the site. The tragic loss of a young mother and her infant daughter has once again raised concerns about public safety and the need for more stringent measures to prevent such accidents.

As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities must ensure that those responsible for the negligence are held accountable. It is a tragic reminder that even in a bustling city like Bengaluru, safety should never be compromised, and the lives of its residents should always be protected..