Delhi High Court Orders BSES to Pay Rs 10 Lakh to Widow of Electrocution Victim

The Delhi High Court has mandated power discom BSES to pay Rs 10 lakh in ex-gratia compensation to Shagufta Ali, widow of a sub-inspector who died from electrocution in 2017. The court recognized prior benefits but deemed additional compensation appropriate, with potential for further legal action.

The Delhi High Court has directed power distribution company BSES to pay an ex-gratia sum of Rs 10 lakh to Shagufta Ali, the widow of Sub-Inspector Afzal Ali who tragically died from electrocution on May 21, 2017. Shagufta Ali had initially sought Rs 50 lakh in compensation from the official respondents.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav stated that in light of the benefits already provided to the petitioner, it is appropriate to grant an ex-gratia lump sum of Rs 10 lakh. This payment is to be made within three months from the date of the judgment. Any failure to comply with this directive will result in a 6 percent annual simple interest accruing from the judgment date as per the court's decision on September 5.

While the High Court noted that Shagufta Ali's family had already received Rs 27,96,496 in pensionary benefits and a monthly pension of Rs 17,150 until May 21, 2027, it allowed the petitioner to pursue further legal remedies in Civil Court. The court emphasized that BSES must avoid unwarranted delays in any legal proceedings.

The bench clarified that the ex-gratia compensation is independent of any additional compensation that may be awarded by the Civil Court. The petitioner was represented by advocates Saeed Qadri, Sahil Gupta, and Mohd. Shakil.

The case facts revealed that Afzal Ali, a Sub-Inspector since 1990, was electrocuted while seeking shelter from rain on May 21, 2017, after coming into contact with an electrified gate in New Lajpat Rai Market. He was declared dead upon arrival at Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital.

The court acknowledged that the negligence leading to the electrocution was partly due to an outgoing electrical wire, attributing partial blame to the consumer-shopkeeper. However, it noted insufficient evidence to conclusively hold BSES responsible, leaving the determination to a competent Civil Court.

(With inputs from agencies.)