The Himachal Pradesh high court, taking suo motu cognisance of the death of an electrician who was electrocuted while on duty, has issued notices to Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
Raising concerns over safety protocols and accountability, the note stems from a representation submitted by the widow of the deceased worker, Baru Ram, who died on July 5, 2026, after coming into contact with a live power line while working in connection with the HPSEBL. The victim was a resident of Belwali Dholakuan in Sirmaur district.
A division bench comprising chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Bipin Chander Negi noted an apparent lack of adequate safety measures and a shifting of responsibility among the agencies involved.
They noted that as per the comments rendered by the board, the liability is being shifted to the private contractors, namely RVNL and its joint venture contractor Airef Engineers Private Limited and sub-contractor Nihal Infratech, while apparently not keeping in mind the safety norms and obligations which ought to have been adhered to, resulting in the death of Baru Ram.
The court observed that in such circumstances, the family of the deceased is without any remedy. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 23.
