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Shimla, August 13
Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the State government, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) after taking suo motu cognizance of the electrocution death of an Electricity Board electrician.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi registered Public Interest Litigation (CWPIL No. 92 of 2026) on the basis of a representation submitted by the wife of deceased electrician Baru Ram, who died on July 5 after coming in contact with an energised electricity connection while performing his duties.
The Court took note of the Electricity Board’s response, under which responsibility for the work appeared to have been shifted to RVNL, which had further engaged its joint venture contractor M/s Airef Engineers Private Limited and sub-contractor M/s Nihal Infratech.
The Bench observed that the circumstances indicated that the family of the deceased had been left without an effective remedy, as responsibility was being shifted to private contractors without apparently taking into consideration the safety norms and obligations that ought to have been followed.
The Court specifically linked the failure to adhere to such safety requirements with the death of Baru Ram.
The State and other respondents appeared through their counsel and waived service of notice. The Court directed that notice be issued to respondent No. 4, with the matter made returnable on September 23, 2026.
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The Bench also directed the Registry to transcribe the representation and supply copies of the relevant documents to counsel appearing for the Electricity Board.
The order was passed on August 12 by Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi.
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