Karnataka Lokayukta B S Patil Wednesday took suo moto cognisance of the mother-child electrocution incident and sought a report from seven officials of the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) before December 8. On Sunday, Soundharya 23 and her nine-month-old daughter were electrocuted to death after stepping on a live electric wire near the Hope Farm Junction in Bengaluru. Taking note of the accident, Patil issued a notice to seven officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary in the Energy Department and the Managing Director, Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineer of the BESCOM. In his order, the Karnataka Lokayukta said, “…to exercise the power conferred on me under Sec. 7(1)(b) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984. Accordingly, exercise my suo-motu power and the office is directed to register this proceeding as suo-motu proceeding.” He also stated that it is necessary to implead the officers as parties or respondents to the proceedings and issue notice to them and call for comments from them. “The officers/officials referred to above are given two weeks’ time to submit their report/comments i.e., on or before December 8, 2023,” the Lokayukta said in his order. Posting the matter for December 8, Patil said, “A detailed report should also be obtained from the Superintendent of Police, City Division and Karnataka Lokayukta, Bengaluru, who should conduct spot inspections and carry out necessary investigations with regard to the incident and submit their reports by the next date of hearing.” The incident caused a widespread uproar in the IT city with the BESCOM attracting wrath from the citizens. Following a detailed enquiry, BESCOM suspended two engineers and three other employees and has show-caused two other officers. On Tuesday, Power Minister K J George said four separate investigations would be taken up to determine the cause of the incident that killed the mother and her child. George also stated that the findings of these reports would be used to prevent such accidents and also to initiate action against those responsible for the tragic incident.
