Court orders K-Electric to pay Rs13.5 million compensation in electrocution death case

A local court has ordered K-Electric to pay Rs13.5 million in compensation over the death of a citizen who was electrocuted during rainfall in 2019.

Senior Civil Judge (Central) ruled that electricity utility companies carry an “extraordinary responsibility” for public safety and cannot evade liability merely because wires belonging to other institutions were attached to an electric pole.

The court observed that ensuring the safety of the power transmission system and public spaces falls under K-Electric’s responsibility, adding that the presence of electric current in a public pole itself constituted evidence of negligence.

The judge directed K-Electric to pay compensation to the legal heirs of the family within 90 days.

The case relates to the death of citizen Sheikh Saad, who was electrocuted during rain in 2019. According to the court order, residents had previously complained to K-Electric about current in the pole, but no action was taken.