PU student electrocuted on school grounds in Tumakuru; case against KEB officials

A 16-year-old Pre-University (PU) first year student died of electric shock while playing on the grounds of a government primary school in Borappanahatti village of Koratagere taluk in Tumakuru district on Friday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Puneeth, son of Ravikumar, a student of Government Pre-University College, Urukere.

According to police and preliminary reports, the incident took place around 5.30 pm when Puneeth was playing the traditional dreidel game with his friends at the Government Lower Primary School campus in Borappanahatti.

Initial investigation suggests that recent rains may have damaged the power line supplying power to the school, causing a current leak. Puneeth allegedly came into contact with the electrified section and received a severe electric shock and collapsed on the spot.

He was immediately taken to a hospital in Tumakuru by family members and residents and doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The incident sparked outrage among the villagers and the victim’s family; The family claimed that they had repeatedly warned both school officials and Bescom officials about the damaged power line and the danger posed by this line. They claimed that despite many complaints, no corrective measures were taken.

Demanding that those responsible be punished, the villagers accused the authorities of negligence and demanded adequate compensation for the grieving family, as well as immediate inspection and repair of the school’s electrical infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies.

Following the complaint, Koratagere Police filed a lawsuit against the relevant KEB officials on charges of causing death due to negligence.