In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded in Kadugodi of Whitefield, Bangalore on Sunday, a mother and her 9-month-old baby lost their lives after inadvertently stepping on a broken electric wire. The victims, identified as Soundarya and her 9-month-old infant, tragically succumbed to the electric shock. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about safety protocols.
Fatal misstep at Hope Farm signal: The tragic morning unfolds
Santosh, the husband of the deceased Soundarya, recounts the harrowing events that transpired in the early morning hours. Returning from Tammur Chennai with his wife, Santosh and Soundarya were walking on the footpath when tragedy struck. Unbeknownst to them, a broken electric wire lay in their path. In the darkness of the early morning, Soundarya inadvertently stepped on the wire, leading to a fatal electric shock. Santosh, who was walking alongside, was also affected by the shock.
Hour-Long wait for assistance: Outrage over delay in official response
Shockingly, an hour passed before any official reached the scene, sparking outrage among locals over the apparent negligence of BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited) officials. The delay in response has intensified community anger and fueled demands for accountability.
Arrests and bail: BESCOM officials in legal crosshairs
Kadugodi police swiftly took action, arresting five individuals, including BESCOM AE Chetan, JE Rajanna, and station operator Manju, on charges of negligence. However, the accused were later released on bail, leading to heightened frustration within the community. The incident has raised questions about the legal consequences for those responsible.
BESCOM’s response: Suspension of officials amid growing safety concerns
In response to the incident, the BESCOM department issued an order suspending the five officials involved. The suspension reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation into the safety practices within the electricity supply department
Funeral amid silence: Grieving family lacks support Meanwhile, the funeral of Soundarya and the 9-month-old infant took place today, with no one offering condolences to the grieving family. The lack of support further intensifies the sorrow surrounding the incident, shedding light on the emotional toll on the victims’ loved ones.
Echoes of past tragedies: Transformer explosion recalled
This tragic occurrence adds to a growing list of incidents highlighting the consequences of BESCOM’s negligence. The incident in Kadugodi is reminiscent of a previous tragedy in Bangalore where a father and daughter lost their lives due to a transformer explosion. In that incident, a technical fault caused the transformer to explode, engulfing the victims in flames.
Alarming pattern: Electrocution deaths and BESCOM’s track record
Disturbingly, a concerning pattern of electrocution-related fatalities due to BESCOM’s negligence has emerged over the past five years. The statistics reveal that 70 lives have been lost, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community demands accountability and action to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further loss of life due to electrical mishaps.