Bengaluru
The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) is facing public outrage following the death of a 23-year-old woman and her nine-month-old infant due to electrocution near Hope Farm Signal in Whitefield. The woman and her baby died on Sunday after they came in contact with an 11kv live wire which had fallen on the ground. But was not the first such accident. According to BESCOM data, around 70 people have been killed because of electric accidents since 2018. According to BESCOM data, a total of 81 accidents occurred due to snapping of conductors since 2018. In 2018-19, 11 fatal and one non-fatal accidents were reported. In 2019-20, 10 fatal and 3 non-fatal accidents occurred. In 2020-21, 9 fatal and 3 non-fatal accidents were reported. In 2021-22, 13 fatal and two non-fatal accidents occurred. In 2022-23 19 fatal and two non-fatal accidents were reported. In 2023-24 till October 8 people died due to electric accidents. Local residents of family members of a woman and baby who were killed in Whitefield on Sunday staged a protest against the BESCOM by blocking the road. Protesters raised slogans against Mahadevapura MLA Manjula S Limbvali and Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan. The BESCOM has suspended five officers and issued show-cause notices to 2 seniors in connection with the incident that occurred at Hope Farm Signal in Whitefield. Energy Minister KJ George announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the family. A case has been registered regarding the incident at the Kadugodi Police Station and an investigation is underway into the matter.
