The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered K-Electric (KE) to pay Rs13.5 million in compensation to the family of a man who died due to electrocution. The incident occurred in Karachi's Orangi Town area in 2020 when the victim came into contact with a live wire.
Court Ruling
A two-member bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the victim's family. The court observed that KE had failed to maintain its electrical infrastructure, leading to the tragic death. The bench termed the incident a clear case of negligence on the part of the power utility.
Compensation Details
The court directed KE to pay Rs13.5 million to the legal heirs of the deceased within 30 days. The amount includes Rs10 million as compensation for the loss of life, Rs2 million for mental anguish, and Rs1.5 million for funeral and other expenses. Additionally, the court ordered KE to pay a 12% annual interest on the compensation amount if it fails to comply within the stipulated time.
Justice Mazhar remarked that public safety is paramount and that utility companies must ensure their equipment is safe. He also noted that KE had previously been fined for similar incidents, yet no significant improvements were made.
Legal Precedent
The verdict sets a precedent for holding utility companies accountable for deaths caused by negligence. The court emphasized that citizens have a fundamental right to life under Article 9 of the Constitution, and any negligence leading to loss of life cannot be tolerated.
KE's counsel argued that the incident was an accident, but the court rejected this plea, stating that the company had a duty to maintain its infrastructure. The bench also directed the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to ensure compliance with safety standards by all power distribution companies.
The victim's family expressed satisfaction with the verdict, hoping it will prevent similar tragedies. They had been fighting for justice since the incident, which left them without a breadwinner.
