A 35-year-old labourer died of electrocution while allegedly shifting a transformer in Maharashtra's Beed district, officials said on Wednesday. The incident took place at Ladegaon Shivar in Kaij tehsil on Tuesday.
According to officials, the victim was identified as Santosh Sonerao Nikam. He, along with three other labourers, had climbed an electric pole during the alleged illegal shifting of a transformer. During the process, the power lines suddenly became live, leading to Nikam's death on the spot.
Junior Engineer Abhijeet Patil of the state-run Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) blamed a private contractor for the incident. "The shifting work was being carried out illegally without the knowledge or permission of MSEDCL authorities. The workers tampered with live wires without taking the required safety shutdowns," the official said.
Following the incident, Nikam's family members and relatives staged a protest outside the MSEDCL office in Ambajogai and initially refused to accept the body. They demanded registration of an FIR against the contractor as well as MSEDCL staff, alleging criminal negligence. The protesters were later pacified after officials assured them of a detailed investigation into the matter.
MSEDCL Deputy Executive Engineer Gokul More told PTI that the department has written to the police seeking registration of a criminal case against private contractor Sachin Shep for unauthorised tampering of electricity infrastructure and endangering lives. Officials said the Yusufwadgaon police have carried out a preliminary spot inspection, while further investigation is underway.
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