NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA 24. Electrocution death of one Sidam Kumar Sen on 09.05.2017 due to the negligence of the Electricity Board, BESCOM, Bangaluru, Karnataka. (Case No. 843/10/1/2017) 62 i. The Commission received a complaint from Shri Sudam Kumar Sen, Tolla Chatti, Bokaro District, Jharkhand alleging death of his brother Shri Sidam Kumar Sen on 09.05.2017 due to the negligence of the Electricity Board, BESCOM, Bangaluru, Karnataka. ii. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, report has been received from the Director (Technical) Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) stating that an accident has occurred at High mast street light pole which is erected in the road divider by BBMP and this pole had housed the control box. The insulation of one wire from the control box was worn out and was touching the metal portion of the said pole. Incidentally at 7 PM, when the unknown person touched this pole and got electrocuted. Further opined that the concerned officer of BBMP Sub division would have done the maintenance of this electric installation periodically or if ELCB of the required rating is provided to this installation, this accident would have been avoided. It is the sole responsibility of City Corporation BBMP to install, maintain the street light and hence BBMP is the consumer under the category LT-6 to BESCOM. It is clear that there is no fault on the Electricity Distribution Company BESCOM & hence, this case has to be handled by City Corporation BBMP. The Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City has forwarded the report of DCP, Whitefield Division, Bengalore City stating that Case No. 391/17 u/s 304 A IPC was registered in the matter. During the course of investigation, BBMP contractor/ maintenance In-charge Sri Kantharaj was arrested and charge sheet was filed against the contractor. iii. The Commission, on consideration of the matter on 18.07.2018 has inter alia observed that both the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited and Commissioner of Police have found BBMP responsible for the incident. Had due diligence been exercised, the life of the brother of the complainant could have been saved. The Right to Life of the deceased victim Sidam Kumar Sen has been violated and the State is liable to compensate for the same. Moreover, he was the sole bread earner of the family and is survived by his wife, a seven year old son and his father. iv. In view of the above, the Commission issued a notice u/s 18 (a) (i) of the PHR Act 1993 to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Karnataka directing him to show cause within two weeks as to why the Commission should not recommend payment of compensation of Rs.500000/to the NoK of the deceased Sidam Kumar Sen, who had lost life because of the negligence by the officials of BBMP. v. The Commission considered the matter on 2.8.2018 and observed that the Executive Engineer, Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palika had submitted a detailed reply to the ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19