Negligence snuffs out lives, no one made to pay for it

NEW DELHI: Poonam was on her way to a diagnostic centre to enquire about some medical tests given to her 14-yearold son, Arnav, who was in hospital. As she gingerly navigated a waterlogged street in east Delhi’s Yamuna Vihar, she accidentally came into contact with a live electric wire carelessly jutting out of a pole. Poonam was instantly electrocuted and thrown into the water. Passersby rushed her to hospital, but she had died by then.

That was on July 13, 2024. One and a half years have passed, yet it remains unclear who was behind the shocking lapse that led to the death of the 34-year-old woman. Police, which registered a case of negligence at that time, have now told TOI that they are still awaiting her viscera analysis report to determine the exact cause of her death.




Poonam’s husband Ravinder, a small-time trader, filed a petition in Karkardooma court, demanding accountability for her demise. The next hearing is scheduled on March 6.



The impact of his mother’s suddenpassing on Arnav, who suffered from Down syndrome, was immediate and heartbreaking. Already in a fragile state, the shock of losing his primary caregiver — he was entirely reliant on her for daily care and emotional support — worsened his condition dramatically, Pankaj, a relative, recalls.



Arnav began experiencing frequent seizures and sank into depression and had to be admitted in ICU.



Just 23 days after losing his lifeline, he succumbed to his illness. “Losing Poonam broke him,” Pankaj says.



Ravinder, a resident of Gamri Village in east Delhi, has been bearing the enormous burden of grief even as he soldiers on seeking justice for his wife. “Because of one act of utter negligence, my entire family has been shattered. Arnav depended on his mother for everything, and when she was gone, he couldn’t cope. I am left alone, helplessly watching the authorities pass the buck,” he says.



Pankaj alleges gross negligence on the part of the agencies responsible for maintaining the electric pole. “After the incident, departments kept shifting responsibilities. We haven’tbeen informed yet who was at fault. Had the pole been maintained properly, the tragedy would never have taken place,” he says.



The relatives, who are yet to get over the twin tragedies, recall Poonam’s tireless efforts to support them. In addition to caring for Arnav and attending to his medical demands, she used to sell clothes in local markets to make ends meet and continue his reatment. The absence of her wife and only child has left Ravinder with a gaping void. Yet, he keeps his chin up, because the fight for justice must be fought to the end.