Electrocution incidents: Authorities question KE’s performance

SHC summons chairperson, NEPRA initiates investigation

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices on Friday to K-Electric (KE), National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Sindh chief secretary and local government administration while hearing pleas pertaining to deaths caused due to electrocution during the recent spell of rain.

Twenty-five people died during two days of rainfall in the city due to electrocution and the KE has since come under fire for its alleged negligence which led to the deaths of these people.

The petitioners, Advocate Irfan Aziz and Advocate Asim Aziz, told the two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Mahmood A Khan, that 20 people died due to KE's negligence and its fragile infrastructure. "KE failed to ensure the safety of Karachiites while also failing to supply power to the city," argued the counsel. "NEPRA also exhibited incompetence as it merely sought a report instead of cancelling KE's licence," he added. The petitioners prayed the court that KE's licence be cancelled and directives be issued for the payment of compensation to the families of the victims.



"Why was KE's infrastructure not improved?" questioned Justice Siddiqui, as the bench issued notices to the parties and directed the KE chairperson to appear before the court and explain the company's position.

FIR registered

Separately, police registered an FIR against the KE on Friday pertaining to the deaths caused due to electrocution during rain. An aggrieved brother of one of the deceased lodged a complaint at Paposh Nagar Police Station. The complainant's brother, Saud, 30, was electrocuted to death outside his house in Paposh Nagar during the rain. The death toll mentioned in the FIR was 20. Another FIR has been lodged at Taimuria Police Station against KE's chief executive officer and others. The complainants were families of two children who died in the same incident on Tuesday.

Commissioner calls meeting

Meanwhile, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani held a meeting with KE management at his office on Friday on the issue of the tragic deaths of innocent citizens, including children, during rains on Monday and Tuesday. Representatives of relevant civic agencies attended the meeting.

The commissioner expressed displeasure on behalf of Sindh chief minister. "As we face queries by the federal and provincial governments and ascertain the reasons behind this unfortunate happening, KE authorities ought to identify the negligent party and provide details of the cause behind each death within 48 hours," said Shallwani.

A representative of NEPRA told the meeting, "We have asked them to submit reports of each incident. Our team from Islamabad will assess the facts and figures in the reports and submit them before NEPRA within two weeks."

The team would assess the factual position with regard to the failure of power supply and casualties caused during the recent rain. It would be visiting both the KE and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO).

Besides, he added, NEPRA has sought KE's safety and precautionary measures manual as is mandatory under NEPRA's 2005 policy.

Sindh Energy Department representative, Ishaq Khuhro, said that it is mandatory for his department's inspectors to visit the KE's installations. "Our officials may be included in the inquiry so that specific responsibility can be established for the negligence," said Khuhro, adding that his department has also sought a report on the incidents.

KE authorities said that they shared the sentiments of the others over the unfortunate incidents and there could be no justification or reasoning behind the deaths. They offered assurance that whoever was responsible would be dealt with accordingly, while adding that the government may support and assist KE further to improve and upgrade its system.

‘Human rights violation’

In a statement on Friday, the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) condemned the deaths of people due to electrocution. SHRC Chairperson Justice (R) Majida Razvi described the deaths as a serious human rights violation. She called for action to be taken against KE.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2019.