Now Reading: Man electrocuted by PWD lamppost in east Delhi, kin allege negligence
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Man electrocuted by PWD lamppost in east Delhi, kin allege negligence
A 28-year-old man, Sandeep, was electrocuted after coming into contact with a defunct lamppost on Somnath Marg in Anand Vihar, east Delhi, on Wednesday evening. His body was found in a pit…
A 28-year-old man, Sandeep, was electrocuted after coming into contact with a defunct lamppost on Somnath Marg in Anand Vihar, east Delhi, on Wednesday evening. His body was found in a pit next to the lamppost, which is maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). Police said they would probe if there was any laxity by civic agencies. PWD has not yet responded.
Sandeep, a caretaker and the sole breadwinner for his family, was walking home around 8pm. His family searched for him after a stranger answered his phone and disconnected the call. Police recovered his body at 7am on Thursday. The autopsy confirmed electrocution as the cause of death. His family has alleged gross negligence and demanded justice, not compensation.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Electrocution from exposed or faulty street infrastructure is a recurring hazard in Indian cities, where multiple agencies maintain overlapping networks of poles and cables. The PWD, which maintains this lamppost, is one of several bodies responsible, alongside power distribution companies and municipal corporations. Families of victims often struggle to establish liability, as inquiries can get stuck between agencies. The police have said they will reach out to civic agencies, but no timeline for the probe has been given. The Delhi High Court has previously ruled in similar cases that the government can be held vicariously liable for negligence in maintaining public utilities. Sandeep's family wants justice rather than compensation, which suggests they may pursue a criminal complaint or a case in the National Human Rights Commission. The next step will be the police inquiry report and any action by PWD.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
