NHRC notice to the Government of Karnataka over the reported death of a woman and her child due to electrocution on a footpath in Bengaluru (21.11.2023)

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 21st November, 2023

NHRC notice to the Government of Karnataka over the reported death of a woman and her child due to electrocution on a footpath in Bengaluru

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 23-year-old woman and her nine months baby were electrocuted when they stepped on a live electricity wire lying unattended on the footpath near Hope Farm in the Kadugodi area in Bengaluru on 19th November, 2023. Reportedly, by the time people rushed to help the victims, they were charred to death.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights, which is a matter of concern. The reported incident, apparently, indicates the negligence of the electricity department of Bengaluru. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Karnataka calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks.

The report should include the status of the FIR, action taken against the officials responsible for the lapses and compensation if any, granted to the Next of the Kin of the deceased.

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