Annual Report 2013-14 4.256 The District Magistrate, Tehri Garhwal informed that Sandeep Panwar, a student of 8th Class, came in contact with naked electric wires and, during the treatment, his right arm had to be amputated. No FIR was lodged by the family members of the victim or any other department as there had been no negligence of any employee. The report also mentioned that the electricity pole was inside the premises, near the boundary wall of the Govt. Inter College, Kandikhal. There were 215 students enrolled in classes VI to XII. The Principal of the College had emphasized that it was essential to shift the electric pole and wires from the vicinity to prevent such occurrence. The report further mentioned that free medical aid was given to the child and a sum of ` 7,500, contributed by the children and employees of the college, was given to the family members of the victim for his treatment. Necessary instructions were given to the department for shifting the electric pole and grant of financial assistance to the victim. The Commission also received a further report from the Director, Middle School Education, Uttrakhand recommending grant of financial assistance to the father of the child and shifting of the 11 K.V. line. 4.257 The Commission considered the report and observed that it was a clear case of violation of human rights as the State authorities had admitted that Sandeep Panwar, came into contact with naked electric wires and during treatment his right arm had to be amputated. The Commission issued notice to the Govt. of Uttrakhand, u/s 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to show cause as to why monetary relief should not be recommended to be paid to the victim Sandeep Panwar. The Commission also called for a report on the action taken regarding shifting of electric pole from the premises of the college. 4.258 In response, it was informed by the State Government that the family had been given financial assistance of `90,000. 4.259 The Commission found the financial assistance to be inadequate and observed that the State admitted that a student came into contact with an electric wire from a pole which has since been moved from the spot, where it was clearly a hazard. This is the reason a young boy has had his right arm amputated. Not only has he undergone the physical pain and mental frame of a permanent disability but his ability to earn a living, after the completion of his education has been seriously jeopardized. His rights have been gravely, even brutally, violated. 4.260 Under relevant laws, the amputation of an arm is taken as a permanent disability and according to the Commission, the relief that the State provides to the victim should be commensurate with the degree of physical and mental trauma that he has already suffered, as well as the likely loss of earnings from this disability.The Commission also observed that the nature of this disability means that avenues for skilled work will be closed to him. His ability to do unskilled work has also been severely impaired. For this, which is tantamount to a life’s work denied, the Commission believes, and is confident that the State Government will agree, the innocent victim should receive redress. NHRC | 73