HC directs State to provide Rs.20 lakhs to family of dead Kodungaiyur girls

The High Court of Madras has directed the Govt. of Tamil Nadu to provide Rs.20 lakhs as compensation to the family of two girls, who were sisters, who died after they came into contact with a live electric wire in Kodungaiyur in Chennai on Monday.

10-year old Bhavana and 8-year old Yuvashree hailing from R.R. Nagar, Kodungaiyur in Chennai were playing near their residence on Monday (30th October) when their feet accidentally came into contact with a live wire which was on earth and which was dangling from an open electric box set up on the lamp-post along the pavement.

The girls suffered serious shock/injuries and were rushed immediately to the Govt. Stanley Medical College Hospital but were later declared as dead. The High Court of India took up the case suo moto on the basis of newspaper and media reports and directed the State to file a detailed report with it for the reasons behind the tragic demise of the two girls.

The Govt. had earlier announced that an ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakhs to each of the girls would be provided to the family of the girls.  In the meantime, the High Court has directed the State to provide ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh to each of the girls i.e. Rs.20 lakhs to the family of the girls. It may be recalled that 8 Electricity Board employees have been placed on suspension following the incident.