Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Rajasthan High Court Enhances Compensation in 35-Year-Old Electrocution Case
A long time ago, in 1991, a woman and her neighbor died after touching a live electric wire on the ground.
The State said it was not their fault, but the court said the State was responsible because they did not fix the wire.
The court also increased the money given to the families of the victims.
The State argued that a storm caused the wire to fall, but the court did not believe them.
The court said the State must pay more money to the families.
The Rajasthan High Court held the State liable for the deaths caused by a live electric wire lying on the ground.
The court enhanced the compensation awarded to the claimants from ₹40,000 to nearly ₹1.2 lakh.
The State argued that a storm caused the wire to fall, but the court rejected this claim.
The court found that the electricity line had not been repaired for a long time and the line-man was absent on the night of the incident.
The court directed that the enhanced compensation be paid with 6% annual interest from the date the civil suit was filed in 1991.
- Who
- The Rajasthan High Court, the State, and the claimants involved in the electrocution case.
- What
- The Rajasthan High Court held the State liable for the deaths caused by a live electric wire lying on the ground and enhanced the compensation awarded to the claimants.
- When
- The incident occurred in 1991, and the High Court's decision was made more than three decades later.
- Where
- The incident took place in Rajasthan, India.
- Why
- The State was held liable due to the poor maintenance of the electricity line and the absence of the line-man on duty, leading to the electrocution.
State's Defense
Claimants' Argument
Cause of the Incident
State's Defense
The State claimed that a storm caused trees to fall, breaking the wire, and described the incident as an 'Act of God'.
Claimants' Argument
The claimants argued that the electricity line had remained in poor condition for a long time due to negligence and inaction of the electricity department.
Liability for the Incident
State's Defense
The State argued that it should not be held liable as the incident was an 'Act of God' and the deceased was partly responsible for walking in the dark.
Claimants' Argument
The claimants argued that the State was responsible for the incident due to the poor maintenance of the electricity line and the absence of the line-man on duty.
- Year of Incident
- 1991
- Initial Compensation
- ₹40,000
- Enhanced Compensation
- ₹1.2 lakh
- Interest Rate on Compensation
- 6% annually
- Court's Decision
- State held liable, compensation enhanced