Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 16 April 2025
Lazrus Kerketta, a regular mazdoor with the Electricity Department, died after falling from an electric pole on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 4:25 PM when he was climbing the electric pole opposite Manglutan Electricity Site Office, without any safety gear.
According to eyewitnesses, electricity staff had placed a ladder against the pole, and 55-Year-Old Lazrus was ascending it when he suddenly fell. He suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to PHC Manglutan by bystanders, including the complainant. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was referred to G.B. Pant Hospital, where he succumbed during treatment.
At the time of the incident, a lineman was present, but it is alleged that he allowed Lazrus to climb without the necessary safety equipment. Junior Engineer was reportedly absent from the site and did not supervise the operation.
Further, family members and several electricity department staff (on condition of anonymity) have stated that it is not within the scope of duty for regular mazdoors to climb electricity poles for repair or maintenance work. That responsibility lies with the lineman. However, instead of climbing the pole himself, the lineman allegedly instructed Lazrus to do so.
Based on the complaint, the police have registered an FIR under Sections 106(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, holding both the lineman and the junior engineer responsible for negligence leading to death.