HC directs power firm to pay Rs 10 lakh relief to SI’s widow

The Delhi High Court has directed the power distribution company, BSES, to pay an ex gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh to Shagufta Ali, widow of Sub-Inspector Afzal Ali who died following electrocution in May 2017. Shagufta had originally sought Rs 50 lakh in compensation.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, in his order dated September 5, said given the benefits already extended to the petitioner, the court deemed it appropriate to award the lump sum compensation.

The BSES has been instructed to make the payment within three months, failing which they will have to pay an additional 6 per cent per annum.

The court noted that the deceased’s family has already received Rs 27,96,496 in pensionary benefits and continues to receive a monthly pension.

The high court also allowed the petitioner to seek further legal remedies in a civil court, which has been directed to resolve the matter within a year, if pursued.

The court observed that while the negligence leading to the fatal incident might involve an outgoing wire causing a current leak to a gate, it could not definitively attribute the fault solely to BSES at this stage.

The final determination of responsibility would require further evidence, to be examined in the civil court.