MADURAI: The Madras high court has directed Tangedco to pay 5 lakh as compensation to the family members of a man who died of electrocution in Tenkasi district in 2021.
The court was hearing the petition filed by U Selvi of Tenkasi district. The petitioner stated that on May 8, 2021, her husband after washing clothes went to the terrace to dry them.
He came in contact with an electric wire from an EB pole which had fallen on the terrace of the house, and died. Stating that her husband died due to the negligence of Tangedco officials since they had not maintained the electric wire properly, the petitioner had filed the present petition.
However, Tangedco submitted that the petitioner's husband had extended a service wire and was using it for electric connection for a bulb. He came in contact with that live wire which resulted in his death. Therefore, there was no negligence on the part of the Tangedco.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh observed that the present case involves serious disputed questions of fact which cannot be decided in the present petition.
Tangedco had issued proceedings in 2019, wherein for such fatal/non-fatal accident, ex-gratia payment is made on compassionate grounds.
With respect to fatal accidents, the compensation has been fixed at 5 lakh. The compensation is payable even in cases where there is no negligence on the part of the department.
Hence, the judge directed Tangedco to pay compensation in line with the 2019 proceedings, within six weeks.
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