Woman and Nine-Month-Old Daughter Charred to Death in Bengaluru’s Whitefield

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Woman and 9-Month-Old Daughter Killed in Tragic Electrocution Incident in Bengaluru’s Whitefield

In a devastating incident that unfolded in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area on Sunday, a 23-year-old woman named Soundarya and her nine-month-old daughter, Suviksha, were tragically charred to death. The incident occurred around 6 am near Hope Farm Junction, leaving the community in shock and grief.

The unfortunate accident took place when Soundarya inadvertently stepped on a live wire owned by the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM). Sources from BESCOM revealed that the live wire, which was connected to the F9 feeder, experienced a jump cut. Under normal circumstances, such an interruption in power supply should trigger an automatic tripping mechanism designed to ensure safety by disconnecting power during faults or abnormalities in the system.

The presence of protective devices and systems, like jump cuts and automatic tripping mechanisms, plays a critical role in safeguarding individuals. These mechanisms are typically activated by circuit breakers or relays, swiftly isolating faulty sections. This quick response prevents extensive damage and maintains the reliability of the power distribution network.

However, in this tragic incident, it was discovered that although the automated tripping mechanism was activated, a loose wire had fallen onto the footpath unbeknownst to BESCOM officials. Shockingly, power supply was restored without conducting thorough checks for faulty wires or any other potential issues. The reason behind this decision was the absence of complaints from consumers in the area.

The repercussions of this negligence have been severe. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against three BESCOM officials at the Kadugodi police station under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with causing death by negligence. The three individuals named in the FIR are Assistant Engineer Chetan, Junior Engineer Rajanna, and Station Operator Manjunath.

In response to the incident, Karnataka’s Energy Minister KJ George has initiated an inquiry, eagerly awaiting the report. Expressing his disappointment, George announced the suspension of the line man, Assistant Engineer (AE), and Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) for their dereliction of duty. He emphasized that stringent action would be taken against any other individuals found responsible for this tragic incident.

Furthermore, the Energy Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the family members who lost their loved ones in this heartbreaking incident. As the investigation continues, political blame games have also begun, with the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit holding the ruling Congress government directly accountable for the tragedy.

The BJP unit criticized the Congress government for its alleged negligence, stating, “Even in populated areas like Bengaluru, a power line has fallen, but as a result of BESCOM’s insistence on not clearing it, a mother and child, who were supposed to survive, died after stepping on the power line in Bengaluru.” They directly addressed Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing the Congress government of irresponsibility and corruption.

Tragically, incidents of electrocution continue to occur across the country. In a similar incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district, four siblings of a family were electrocuted when they came into contact with a high-speed pedestal fan in their house in Lalman Kheda village. The four children, aged nine, eight, six, and four, were home alone when the incident took place, as their parents were at work. Hearing one child’s scream, the other three rushed to save her, but unfortunately, they also suffered the same fate and died instantly.

These distressing incidents serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining and prioritizing safety measures within the power supply infrastructure. As investigations continue and authorities take necessary actions, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

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