The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) has categorically told authorities in Nayagaon and Chandigarh to take steps to ensure there is no loss of human life due to dangerously installed power supply lines.
“The hazardous electrical conditions prevailing in the area affect the public at large, including residents, school-going children elderly persons, pedestrians, shopkeepers and all other persons, who regularly use public streets and common places. The petition will next be taken up on September 22. The present PIL has, thus, become necessary to secure urgent judicial intervention for protection of public life and ensure performance of statutory duties is cast upon respondent authorities before any avoidable tragedy occurs,” the plea said, highlighting that it becomes all the more important due to waterlogging during monsoon and resultant effects.
The order does not outrightly mention the jurisdiction or the timeframe in which these deaths took place. During the hearing on August 25, the petitioner’s counsel, Baljeet Singh Sidhu, had mentioned a report claiming that nearly half a dozen persons either died or suffered injuries after coming into contact with live electrical wires. The petition also mentioned the death of a stray bull in Nayagaon in June due to electrocution.
