A Senior Civil Judge of the City Court has ordered K-Electric to pay Rs 13.5 million as compensation in a petition related to the death of a citizen who was electrocuted during rainfall.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer stated that the citizen, Sheikh Saad, died in 2019 after receiving an electric shock during rain. Despite repeated complaints by local residents about electricity leakage in a pole, K-Electric failed to take action. It was argued that the company did not properly maintain its electricity system and installations.
K-Electric’s lawyer told the court that the concerned electricity pole did not belong to K-Electric and that the leakage was caused by wires of a private generator. The defense maintained that K-Electric’s installations were completely safe and that the deceased had put his life at risk by going near a dangerous area.
The court observed that electricity supply companies carry an extraordinary responsibility for public safety. It further stated that the presence of other institutions’ wires on a pole does not absolve K-Electric of its duty. Ensuring the safety of electricity distribution systems and public spaces remains the company’s responsibility.
The court added that the presence of electric current in a public utility pole itself constitutes evidence of negligence. It also noted that the deceased’s attempt to save a child could not be considered complete negligence, as the law views efforts to save human life with leniency.
The court ordered K-Electric to pay the compensation amount to the claimants within 90 days.
