Labourer Electrocuted During Unlawful Transformer Shift in Maharashtra

A 35-year-old labourer died from an electric shock while allegedly involved in an unauthorized transformer relocation in Maharashtra's Beed district. Authorities pointed to a private contractor's negligence. Affected families demanded action against the contractor and MSEDCL staff, leading to promises of a detailed probe.

A tragic incident unfolded in Maharashtra's Beed district as a 35-year-old worker, Santosh Sonerao Nikam, suffered a fatal electric shock while allegedly engaged in an unauthorized transformer relocation on Tuesday. The event took place at Ladegaon Shivar in Kaij tehsil.

According to officials, Nikam and three others had climbed an electric pole when the power lines unexpectedly became active, resulting in his instant death. Abhijeet Patil, a junior engineer at Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), attributed the incident to unauthorized actions by a private contractor.

Patil emphasized that the task was conducted without notifying MSEDCL or obtaining necessary permissions. Due to unsafe practices, like manipulating live wires without any protective shutdowns, this tragedy occurred. In response to the death, Nikam's family protested outside MSEDCL's office in Ambajogai, demanding legal action against both the contractor and company personnel for negligent conduct.

MSEDCL's Deputy Executive Engineer, Gokul More, confirmed they have asked the police to file a criminal case against Sachin Shep, the contractor allegedly involved, for illegal interference with electrical infrastructure and risking lives. Investigators from Yusufwadgaon police have already conducted a preliminary site inspection following the event.