Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 4: Observing that the Power Development Corporation (PDC) were negligent in performing their duties, the High Court has directed for compensation of Rs 60 lakhs to the victim of electrocution.
The victim Manisha Sharma, 14, after having suffered amputation of her right arm up to shoulder and two fingers of left foot because of electrocution, has filed the present petition through her father for grant of compensation.
She was playing with other children in a vacant common land situated near to her house and came into contact with 11 KV electric wire which was hanging in air just four to five feet above the ground level, as a result of which she suffered electric shock.
Due to electrocution, she suffered multiple burn injuries on her whole body, particularly on her right arm, legs, foot and private part. The case projected by her in the writ petition was that she suffered electric shock due to negligence on part of the officials of the respondents (PDC) as they failed to maintain safe distance between the high-tension wires and the ground, so as to prevent any human being coming into contact with the electric wires
“In view of the above, this Court is of the considered view that the officials of the respondents were negligent in performing their duties resulting in injuries to the petitioner thereby causing permanent disablement to her. As such, this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondents to pay an amount of Rs. 60,57,700/- to the petitioner along with interest at 6 percent per annum”, Justice Rajnesh Oswal directed.
The Court further added that out of the said amount, an amount of Rs. 50,00,000 shall be kept in fixed deposit for a period of three years and thereafter the petitioner shall be at liberty to withdraw the same. “In the event, the petitioner requires more money for meeting her education or other requirements, she shall be at liberty to approach this Court for release of the amount kept in fixed deposit”, the court said.
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