Bearing the burden: Six HESCO officials booked in donkey killing case

Donkey’s owner says negligence of the HESCO staff led to the electrocution of the animal

HYDERABAD: The death of a donkey due to electrocution has landed some officials of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco), which is responsible for the electricity supply in 14 districts of southern and central Sindh, in trouble.

The donkey’s owner has named six officers and staff of Hesco in an FIR under Sections 429 and 34 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with punishment of up to five years if proven guilty. Chief engineer Qasimabad Tajamul Baig, sub-divisional officer Niaz Ahmed Lashari, line superintendent Aziz Gopang, supervisor Sarwar Abbassi, lineman Sarwar Hingoro and meter reader Riaz Rajput have been nominated in the FIR. The case was lodged at the Bhitai Nagar police station on Sunday night on the complaint of Muhammed Jaro Palari, the owner of the animal.

According to Palari, a wire from an electric pole fell on his donkey and immediately electrocuted the animal to death near Jamshoro Road. “All these officers are responsible for the electrocution. They all should be punished,” said Palari.

The Hesco spokesperson could not be contacted for the company’s version. SHO Hakim Ali Jalbani confirmed that he police have not yet  attempted to arrest the accused.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2015.