A seven-year-old boy died of electrocution in the state capital on Sunday morning after coming in contact with an exposed transformer while playing cricket in his neighbourhood. The tragedy has sparked public outrage, with residents blaming the electricity department for ignoring repeated complaints about the damaged gate guarding the high-voltage equipment.
The child, identified as Fahad, was playing with friends around 10 am when their ball rolled near the transformer. As he went to retrieve it, he touched the transformer and was electrocuted. Bystanders rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Residents alleged that the gate surrounding the transformer had been broken for nearly two years, making it easily accessible to children and animals. Despite several complaints to the electricity department, no action was taken to repair it, they said.
“There have been multiple complaints, but no one listened,” said Mohammed Rayees, the boy’s uncle. Another resident added, “At least 14 animals have died here due to electrocution in the past. Even today, the power supply was not turned off until we managed to pull the child away. No electricity department official has shown up yet.”
Police said no formal complaint had been received at the local station, while a response from the electricity department is awaited.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of the Uttar Pradesh electricity department. Just days earlier, Energy Minister A.K. Sharma had expressed concern over officials refusing to attend distress calls, instructing the public instead to call the helpline number 1912.
“Despite repeated orders, officials have stopped receiving calls directly. If they don’t understand their responsibility towards the people, the consequences will be dangerous,” Sharma warned during a recent review meeting.
As grief and anger engulf the locality, residents continue to demand accountability for Fahad’s death a tragedy they say could have been avoided had authorities acted on time.
