Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Dec 23: A labourer of Haveri origin died in the campus of Bhavya petrol pump at Padubidri due to electrocution.

The deceased is identified as Ningaraju (19). It is said that Ningaraju was asked to dig pit for earthing of power without taking any precautions and that is why he lost his life. A case is registered in Padubidri police station against Suresh Shetty, owner of petrol pump and electrical contractor Shivarama Shetty.

Four daily wage labourers were hired from Padubidri market area on Thursday. Neither the petrol bunk owner nor the electrical contractor made the labourers aware of the electrical cables that are installed beneath the ground where the labourers were asked to dig a pit. The labourers were not even provided electricity resistant gloves as precaution. When deceased Ningaraju hit the earth with an iron pick axe in order to dig the pit, electricity passed through the axe.

Ningaraju screamed and said ‘Kaka’ calling his uncle. When his uncle Mangalappa touched Ningaraju, he also suffered an electricity shock. Immediately Mangalappa also screamed and the petrol pump employee put off the main switch.

Though Ningaraju was taken to Mukka hospital he had breathed his last by then.