Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: In a petition filed by Rachna Devi, who lost her left arm due to electrocution, High Court today directed the Power Development Department to pay Rs 3 lakh compensation to the petitioner.
“Almost 16 years are going to lapse from the date of accident, however, still the respondents have not initiated any meaningful step to enquire the matter thoroughly so as to know the actual cause of accident as there is nothing on the file which could demonstrate that the respondents have ever conducted thorough inquiry”, Justice Tashi Rabstan said.
“There cannot be any dispute on the count that the maintenance of electric supply is under the control of the respondents. Therefore, they are equally bound to ensure that the lives of citizens are not put in jeopardy”, High Court said, adding “while discharging the sovereign functions, a duty is cast on the State to take such steps as are required for the safety of the people and, on their failure, they cannot escape the obligation to compensate a victim on the ground of immunity claimed”.
With these observations, Justice Tashi Rabstan directed the respondents to pay a sum of Rs 3 lakh with 6% interest from the date of filing of the petition till its final realization. “Let the whole amount be deposited with the Registrar (Judicial) of this court within a period of eight weeks from today”, he added.
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