Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 11: State High Court has directed the Power Development Department to pay compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh for the death of shepherd due to electrocution.
The direction was issued in a petition filed by widow of Abdul Jalil and others seeking compensation to the tune of Rs 9 lakh as her husband Abdul Jalil died of electrocution on March 23, 2009 at village Dusanoo of tehsil Reasi.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Altaf Hussain for the petitioner whereas AAG Seema Shekhar for the State respondents, Justice J P Singh observed, “the State questions the determination of claim by this Court in exercise of its extra ordinary writ jurisdiction. They, however, do not dispute that Abdul Jalil had died because of electrocution. According to them, the cause of electrocution was puncturing/ bursting of Pin Insulator because of sudden fault appearing in the transmission of electricity as a result Phase-I Dusanoo Tap of 11 KV Mahadev Feeder came in contact with the cross arm of HT Pole thereby energizing the pole with which the deceased came in contact”.
“The loss of dependence would, therefore, come to Rs 7,20,000. Adding Rs 15,000 for burial and post burial expenses and Rs 15000 for loss of consortium and love and affection, the total compensation payable for the death of Abdul Jalil would be Rs 7,50,000”, the High Court said, adding “widow of the deceased is entitled to Rs 5,50,000 and mother of the deceased is entitled to Rs 2,00,000. The amount payable to the petitioners shall carry interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of filling of the petition till its realization”.
“The respondents, who were bound to compensate the petitioners for the death of Abdul Jalil, having failed to discharge their obligation in doing so as such a command needs to be issued to them to pay compensation to the petitioners”, the High Court said and directed the PDD to pay the compensation along with the interest within eight weeks.
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