The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to a woman whose husband died of electrocution in Trichy district in 2021. The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman while hearing an appeal filed by the woman, Sulochana, challenging the dismissal of her earlier petition by a single judge.
Background of the Case
According to Sulochana, her house was provided with a cable television connection, and the cable wire had been tied to an electric post. In 2021, a cow owned by her touched the cable wire, suffered electrocution, and died. When her husband, Ragavan, attempted to rescue the cow, he also suffered electrocution and died on the spot. A police case was registered in connection with the incident.
Legal Proceedings
In 2024, Sulochana filed a petition before the Madras High Court seeking compensation for her husband's death. However, a single judge dismissed the petition, taking into account the fact that the cable TV wire was illegally tied to an electric post, which resulted in the death. Challenging this dismissal, Sulochana preferred an appeal before the division bench.
Court's Observation and Order
The division bench observed that it is an admitted fact that the death occurred due to electrocution. As per the board proceedings issued by Tangedco in 2019, a sum of Rs 5 lakh is payable as compensation in cases of fatal accidents involving human beings or animals. Therefore, the judges directed Tangedco to pay the compensation amount to Sulochana.
Additionally, the bench noted that it is open to the appellant to pursue her remedies with regard to negligence and claim higher compensation against the concerned parties by initiating appropriate proceedings in the manner known to law.
