Shock zone in KR market

Victim's kin ask how BESCOM authorities can be so careless about serious lapse of safety measures

Shock zone in KR market

Victim's kin ask how BESCOM authorities can be so careless about serious lapse of safety measures

The family of software professional Tushar Kumar, is seeking answers from the Bangalore Electric Supply Company (BESCOM), after heu00a0 was electrocuted during the incessant rains, which lashed the city from Thursday. The relatives claim that he died because of a serious lapse of safety measures on the part of BESCOM.

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The 11 KV line in the crowded KR Market, which sees over 5,000 people thronging the area everyday. The victimu00a0who was electrocuted during the rains on Thursday

Tushar, according to witnesses, slipped in the slush surrounding the power pole carrying a 11 KV transformer line, and in an attempt to regain balance, held the pole.

The incident occurredu00a0 in the crowded KR Market, which sees over 5,000 people thronging the area everyday. Locals said that the pole wasu00a0 The victim's parents rushed to the city from Delhi after receiving the dreadful news of his death.

Anil Kumar, Tushar's uncle who lives at MICO Layout, told MiD DAY, "When we heard that he had been electrocuted, it sent shivers down our spines. It is shocking that he had to lose his life so that this lapse comes to light."

Kumar wants to know how BESCOM is allowed to get away with this serious lapse of safety measures.
"Authorities could have at least cut of the power supply when it started raining. That area is so crowded and we are sad because even now nothing has been done to rectify the threat." said Kumar.

Nanjund Shettar attached to the KR Market police station said, "Due to the rain and the slush, Tushar slipped and accidentally touched the transformer. Some passersby tried to help using a wooden stick, but there was no escaping death."

A shopkeeper in the area said, "Visitors are unaware of the danger, which has caused casualties previously also."

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Karnataka Electricity Board (KEB) denied being in any way to blame for the incident. Krishnamurthy, a BESCOM official argued, "We have put in all the safety measures and also put up a sign board advising people to stay clear of the area.

When the BBMP began construction in that area, they might have uprooted the sign board." Tushar is among the two dead and one missing as a result of the heavy rains. The victim's colleagues are planning to take up the matter by protesting at the BESCOM head office.

Another shocker
IN a similar incident, Amaresh, a forest guard, was electrocuted while attempting to save his 8-year-old daughter and 10-year-old niece who had come in contact with a live wire in Chikkanayakanahalli on Tuesday. While he died on the spot, both girls survived and were hospitalised.