Punjab and Haryana High Court Upholds Reduced Compensation for Electrocution Victim
HC: Can’t burden state for citizens’ reckless behaviour
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld a district court's decision to reduce compensation for Sahil, a victim of electrocution in Pathankot, from ₹20 lakh (approximately $24,000 USD) to ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD). The court emphasized the need for citizens to exercise caution and not solely rely on state authorities for safety.
- 01The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld a reduced compensation ruling for an electrocution victim.
- 02Sahil, the victim, suffered severe injuries due to contact with a high tension wire while flying a kite.
- 03The court emphasized shared responsibility between citizens and the state regarding safety.
- 04The victim's family failed to seek necessary permissions for construction near the high voltage line.
- 05The court noted contributory negligence on the part of the victim's family.
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The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently upheld a decision by a district court to reduce the compensation awarded to Sahil, a 5-year-old electrocution victim from Pathankot, Punjab, India, from ₹20 lakh (approximately $24,000 USD) to ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD). The incident occurred in December 2000 when Sahil came into contact with a 33 KV high tension wire while flying a kite on his grandfather's rooftop. Initially, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) was held responsible, but the court found that the victim's family had not sought the necessary permissions for construction under the high voltage line, constituting contributory negligence. Justice Nidhi Gupta noted that citizens must be vigilant and cannot solely rely on state authorities for safety. The court expressed sympathy for the victim but maintained that both the victim and his family shared responsibility for the accident, leading to the dismissal of the appeal for increased compensation.
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This ruling highlights the importance of safety regulations and personal responsibility in preventing accidents, potentially influencing how families approach construction near high voltage lines.
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