The electricity board has been held responsible for the death of a lineman who was electrocuted while carrying out repair work on an 11 KV feeder in the Bindravan forest area under Palampur Municipal Corporation last week.
The deceased, Mohan Lal, a resident of Ranital, died after receiving an electric shock during maintenance work when power supply was restored suddenly on the feeder line. A two-level inquiry into the incident has been completed and the final report has been submitted to Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa by the investigation team, headed by Palampur SDM Dr OP Yadav.
According to the report, the inquiry committee found the electricity board responsible for the accident, though the committee failed to fix individual accountability on any employee or officer. Police investigations are still underway to determine personal negligence.
The inquiry has raised several serious questions regarding safety protocol and operational lapses. Investigators found that power supply from the Maranda feeder had allegedly been restored without proper authorisation. It was also revealed that the switch meant for shutting the power supply had not been properly disconnected, while one of the three isolators remained active a shutdown.
The report further pointed out that the line had not been properly earthed before repair work commenced. Based on these findings, a case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against JE Aman Sood, who has already been placed under suspension.
The inquiry also revealed that repair work was simultaneously underway on another feeder linked to the Bindravan feeder, and both feeders had been shut down following proper procedure and indent was also issued. After work on the second feeder was completed, power supply was reportedly restored after communication with the JE.
The incident occurred on Monday when strong winds uprooted trees in Bindravan forest damaging feeder wires. On Monday morning, electricity board employees reached the spot to restore the damaged line. During the repair work, Mohan Lal climbed an electric pole to reconnect the wires but reportedly did not wear safety equipment. Meanwhile, power supply to the feeder was restored, resulting in the fatal electric shock.
Following the tragedy, family members and locals reached the spot and protested against the electricity board, demanding strict action against those responsible.
