Madurai
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday directed TANGEDCO to pay a compensation of ₹ three lakh to a woman, after her husband, the sole bread winner of the family, was electrocuted while coming in contact with a live wire.
Justice M. S. Ramesh also directed TANGEDCO to deposit ₹ one lakh each with a nationalised bank in the name of her two minor children, who shall be at liberty to withdraw the deposit on attaining majority.
The court observed that under Rule 30 (17) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Code it is mandated that the service line be maintained by TANGEDCO and the electrocution occurred because of the service line entering the petitioner’s premises.
The main electricity post and the main line, which was 12 feet away from the premises, were maintained. But it can only be concluded that the service line lacked proper insulation amounting to non-maintenance of the wire.
The authorities concerned are to ensure that when a live wire runs from the distribution main to the meter of a consumer’s premises, it is properly insulated. Hence, the authorities are liable to pay compensation, the court said.
The court was hearing the case of Ramakkal of Madurai, who sought compensation from TANGEDCO after her husband died while coming in contact with a live wire. The woman, mother of two minor children, claimed that it was the fault of the organisation, as the electricity lines were not properly maintained.
