AHMEDABAD | 29TH JUNE 2025– The Gujarat High Court has upheld a Trial Court order granting compensation of Rs 6.25 lakh along with interest to the parents of an 18-year-old boy who died due to electrocution caused by negligent maintenance of electric wires.
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
The tragic incident dates back to 2008, when the plaintiffs’ son, aged 18 years, died after being electrocuted by an electric line passing through trees. At the time of the incident, the boy was standing below the trees and cutting plants for cattle grazing.The parents filed a civil suit seeking compensation for the untimely loss of their son. The Trial Court partly allowed the suit and directed Paschim Gujarat Vij Co. Ltd. to pay Rs 6.25 lakh with interest.
Aggrieved by this decision, the Company filed an appeal before the Gujarat High Court.
HIGH COURT’S OBSERVATIONS
A Single Bench of Justice Hemant M. Prachchhak dismissed the appeal, upholding the lower court’s order. The Court strongly emphasized the duty of the electricity board in maintaining public safety.
“It is appropriate to note herein that it is the duty of the electric board to see that the electric wires do not touch the trees and for that the board has to appropriate steps. In present case, due to negligence on the part of the board, the son of respondent No.2 died untimely. Further, from the record it establishes that the wires were hanging and bent from the centre and had come near to the ground, and same were touching the trees.”
TRIAL COURT’S FINDINGS
The Trial Court, after examining the post-mortem report, confirmed the deceased’s age as 18 years. It also acknowledged that the deceased was earning Rs 200 per day from selling milk, amounting to a monthly income of Rs 6,000.The Bench found the Trial Court’s findings reasonable and well-supported by evidence.
“Hence, in view of the above observations, this Court is of the opinion that the trial Court has not committed any error in passing the impugned judgment and award,” the Bench noted.
ORDER FOR COMPENSATION DISBURSEMENT
While dismissing the appeal, the High Court ordered:
“The amount deposited by the appellant before the trial Court is ordered to be disbursed in favour of respondent No.2 herein along with accrued interest, if any, within period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of copy of present order.”
ADVOCATES’ APPEARANCE
Appellant: Advocate SP Hasurkar
