Power Discoms Can't Escape Liability: Andhra Pradesh High Court Upholds Damages For Death Caused By Snapped Live Wires Lying On Ground

"The evidence on record clearly establishes that the deceased died due to electrocution because of the negligence of the staff of the defendants." Andhra Pradesh High Court, in a significant ruling dated August 17, 2026, held that power distribution companies are strictly liable for fatalities caused by snapped electrical transmission wires left unattended on the ground.

A bench of Justice V. Gopala Krishna Rao observed that documentary evidence including police reports, inquest findings, and scene observation reports conclusively establish negligence on the part of discom staff when live wires cause fatal accidents.

The litigation arose from an appeal filed by the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited challenging a trial court decree directing them to pay Rs. 3,00,000 as damages to the grieving family members of a 22-year-old man. The victim, Majji Krishna, tragically died on August 14, 2000, after coming into contact with fallen high-tension electrical wires while collecting firewood in an agricultural field. His wife and parents initially approached the High Court through a writ petition before filing a civil suit for damages after being awarded preliminary ex-gratia relief.

The primary question before the court was whether there was actionable negligence on the part of the power distribution company in maintaining electrical transmission lines and whether the victim died due to such negligence. The court was also called upon to determine the sustainability of the interest rate awarded by the trial court on the decretal amount.

Discoms Cannot Shift Blame Onto Victims

The court examined the trial record which established that high-tension wires had snapped and fallen into the agricultural land where the young man was gathering firewood. Rejecting the discom's plea that the victim climbed trees and meddled with lines, the court relied heavily on the scene observation report and police final report confirming the live wires were lying directly at the feet of the deceased.

"Abundant Material To Prove Electrocution"

The bench emphasized that official records, including the post-mortem certificate and inquest report, left no room for doubt that death was caused by circulatory failure resulting from severe electrical shock. The court noted that statutory duty is cast upon electricity distribution authorities to maintain transmission lines with utmost care to prevent fatal hazards to citizens.

Court Modifies Post-Decretal Interest Rate

Addressing the appellant's challenge to the 12% per annum interest rate awarded by the trial court, the bench invoked judicial discretion under Section 34 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Taking judicial notice of the fall in bank lending rates and economic inflation, the court held that unconscionable post-decree interest warrants judicial reduction.

"Post-Decree Interest Capped At Six Percent"

The High Court modified the decree to restrict the simple interest payable on the Rs. 3,00,000 compensation sum to 6 percent per annum from the date of the decree until realization. The appeal suit was accordingly allowed in part, upholding the core finding of tortious liability against the power utility while providing partial relief on the interest component.

Date of Decision: 17 August 2026