People protesting in front of the Telangana Electricity department after five people died of electrocution when a vehicle came in contact with overhead electric wires during a procession organised as part of Janmashtami celebrations, in Ramanthapur, Hyderabad on Monday (August 18, 2025)
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (HRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the electrocution incident during the Sri Krishna Janmashtami Shobha Yatra in Ramanthapur, Hyderabad that claimed five lives and left four others injured on Sunday (August 17, 2025) night.
Among the injured was a gunman of Union Minister Kishan Reddy and a police constable. The incident has sparked protests by residents demanding accountability, higher compensation, and jobs for the families of the deceased.
The HRC Chairperson Justice Shameem Akther observed that the tragedy revealed gross negligence on the part of authorities, a serious lapse in public safety, and a violation of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Commission has directed the chairman and managing director of the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) to submit a comprehensive report by 11 a.m. on September 22, 2025. The report is expected to address the precise cause of the incident, responsibility for unattended hazardous wires, immediate corrective measures taken, compensation and rehabilitation for victims, and long-term safety steps to prevent recurrence during festivals and public gatherings.
Published – August 19, 2025 05:32 pm IST
