K-Electric fined over Rs19m over electrocution death

A court has ordered K-Electric, the electricity distribution company, to pay Rs 19.3 million in compensation to the family of an 8-year-old boy who tragically died from electrocution over six years ago.

The decision was delivered by Senior Civil Judge East Karachi, Ambreen Jamal, in a case involving the death of young Azhan Siddiqui, who was electrocuted during rains in 2017. Judge Jamal issued the verdict on Tuesday, ruling that K-Electric was liable for the incident.

Azhan’s parents had filed a petition holding K-Electric responsible for their son's death, alleging criminal negligence and failure to implement proper safety measures.

They argued that the company had failed to install guard wires on the electric lines and did not maintain or repair the damaged wires.

The petitioners claimed that the electric wires had snapped during the rain due to a physical defect, which they attributed to K-Electric's negligence. Despite the wire being detached from the electric pole, it remained live, leading to the fatal electrocution.

The plaintiffs argued that K-Electric’s lack of system maintenance and periodic checks on rusty, weak wires contributed to the incident. The company’s failure to address the dangerous condition of the wires, they claimed, resulted in the tragedy.

The plaintiffs initially sought Rs 14.5 million in compensation, which they argued was in line with legal precedents under the Fatal Accidents Act of 1855. The court upheld their demand, ruling in their favor. In addition to the Rs 14.5 million compensation, the court ordered that the petitioners be awarded an additional Rs 4.82 million, with interest at the prevailing bank rate from the date of the decree until full payment is made.

The case highlights concerns about the maintenance and safety standards of utility companies, particularly regarding the dangerous consequences of negligence during extreme weather conditions. The court’s ruling has drawn attention to the responsibilities of service providers like K-Electric to prevent accidents through proper maintenance and safety protocols.