Hyderabad electrocution deaths: HC seeks accountability; directs TGSPDCL to remove unsafe wires

The Telangana High Court expressed strong displeasure over electrocution deaths in Ramanthapur, questioning civic and power authorities’ accountability. Justice Bheemapaka directed TGSPDCL to remove unauthorised cables and ordered the Centre and State to present a plan to prevent such hazards

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday expressed strong displeasure over the tragic electrocution deaths in Ramanthapur and questioned the accountability of civic and power authorities, issuing oral directions to remove unauthorized cables.

Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka, while hearing a petition filed by Bharti Airtel Ltd, referred to a newspaper clipping about a nine-year-old boy performing the last rites of his father on his own birthday. “What impact will such a tragedy have on the child’s development? Who is responsible for the lives of the six deceased persons and their families? If everyone blames others and no one takes responsibility, it is a shameful situation for the entire society,” the judge remarked.

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The court questioned officials from the Centre, State government, GHMC, TGSPDCL, and Bharti Airtel Ltd about their roles and responsibilities. Justice Bheemapaka observed that government functionaries must act with sympathy toward the public and accept responsibility in discharging their duties. “Your salaries are paid from public taxes; at least show accountability,” the judge told the authorities.

Taking serious note of unsafe wiring, Justice Bheemapaka orally directed TGSPDCL and other power utilities to remove all unauthorized cable and internet wires hanging from electric poles across Hyderabad. The order came during Airtel’s challenge to the government’s decision directing removal of internet wires from poles, following the Sri Krishnashtami day electrocution tragedy.

According to power utilities, Hyderabad has over 20 lakh electric poles belonging to TGSPDCL. Of these, only 1,73,608 poles are legally used by cable operators and ISPs with requisite permissions. However, many operators are utilizing poles without authorization, exposing the public to grave risks. The court directed TGSPDCL to take immediate steps to clear all unauthorized installations.

Counsel for Airtel argued that the company relied on optical fibre cables, which do not carry electrical current and therefore cannot cause shocks. The judge, however, stressed that the larger issue of unauthorized pole usage cannot be ignored. The matter was adjourned to August 25, with directions to both the Centre and the State government to present a concrete action plan to resolve the hazard.