After Child dies in Anganwadi Electrocution, HC seeks accountability from State

In a significant intervention highlighting safety failures in public welfare facilities, the Chhattisgarh High Court took suo motu cognizance of two tragic electrocution deaths involving children and sought accountability from the State administration. Acting on disturbing newspaper reports, the Court examined whether authorities had failed to prevent dangerous electrical hazards in Anganwadi centres and rural fields, raising serious concerns about public safety, administrative negligence, and the absence of preventive mechanisms.

The controversy began when reports published in The Hitavada detailed two separate incidents of fatal electrocution. In one case from Kondagaon district, a two-and-a-half-year-old child died after touching a live wire inside an Anganwadi centre where unsafe electrical fittings had allegedly been ignored despite repeated complaints. In another incident in Gourela-Pendra-Marwahi district, a six-year-old child was electrocuted after coming into contact with an illegally electrified fence installed by a landowner to protect crops from cattle.

Following the reports, the High Court initiated suo motu public interest proceedings, directing the State’s Chief Secretary to explain the action taken, preventive measures adopted, and compensation granted to the families of the deceased children.

Reviewing the affidavit filed by the State, the Court noted that inquiries had confirmed negligence in both incidents. Disciplinary action had been taken against Anganwadi staff in the first case, while criminal proceedings were initiated against the landowner in the second under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The State also reported statewide safety directions, inspections of electrical installations, and action against illegal power connections.

Expressing concern over recurring electrocution incidents involving humans and animals, the Court earlier observed that isolated action was insufficient and stressed the need for systemic prevention, noting that the State must ensure “effective preventive measures… so that no human or animal life is endangered due to electrocution.” After being informed that compensation had been paid and no similar incident had been reported since the monitoring began, the Court concluded that no further directions were required and closed the proceedings.

Case Title: Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Vs. State Of Chhattisgarh and Ors.

Case No.: Wppil No. 84 of 2025

Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Chief Justice. Ramesh Sinha, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal,

Advocate for the Petitioner: None

Advocate for the Respondent: AAG Shashank Thakur, Adv. Mayank Chandrakar,

Read Judgment @Latestlaws.com