Shocking Deaths of Woman and Baby Sparks Outrage over Negligence

By Ahna Prakash

The tragic deaths of a 23-year-old woman and her nine-month-old baby girl have sent shockwaves through the city of Bengaluru. The devastating incident occurred when the woman stumbled upon a live wire left unattended on the footpath near Hope Farm, resulting in fatal burns for both mother and child.

Soundarya and Suviksha, the victims of this unfortunate accident, sadly succumbed to their injuries before any help could arrive, according to the Kadugodi police.

In response to the incident, the police have initiated an investigation and are questioning the personnel from the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) responsible for the area. The authorities are preparing to file a case of negligence against them.

The tragic incident has once again raised concerns about pedestrian safety and has sparked public outrage over the alleged irresponsibility of BESCOM. People have taken to social media platforms to express their disappointment and demand accountability.

“Two innocent lives lost due to sheer apathy and negligence. Where is the accountability? Our city is not safe for pedestrians, even for those waiting for public transport. Building random skywalks does not address the issue; it only benefits advertisers,” expressed Shilpi Sahu, a concerned citizen.

Another citizen, Harsha, voiced their frustration, stating, “No one will be held accountable or face any consequences in their job. Let alone being punished by law. This is why our public services are so apathetic towards citizen safety.”

Reacting to the tragic incident, Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing the urgent need for BESCOM to implement preventive measures. He stressed that a heightened sense of responsibility from BESCOM is crucial in averting such incidents and ensuring a safer environment for the public.

Whitefield Rising, a citizens’ forum, highlighted that they had recently raised concerns about the presence of Optical Fiber Cables (OFC) in the area, just two days before the tragic incident occurred.

“How could a live wire be left hanging? Thousands of people walk on this footpath next to the bus stop, and the metro station is just a short walk away. This is criminal negligence. A young lady’s life has been tragically taken away, with her rolling bag silently bearing witness to the tragedy,” the forum tweeted.

In an effort to offer support to the grieving family, Power Minister KJ George announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. “Our prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones,” he expressed.