Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, Jan 7: In what can be termed as a landmark judgement, the district consumer dispute redressal forum has ordered the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) and a cable TV operator to pay Rs 1.28 lac at 10 per cent interest to C T J Gonsalves, a chartered accountant practicing in the city.

MESCOM and the cable operator will also have to pay Rs 5000 and Rs 1000 towards litigation expenditures.

Gonsalves and his family of wife and son had lodged a complaint with the forum, alleging that the cable operator and MESCOM's negligence had resulted in electrocution causing irrepairable damage to materials.

On investigation, the forum found that the cable TV line was lying along the road and had been electrocuted during monsoons when a 11 K V power line made contact with it.

The consumer court stated that MESCOM and cable operators should take utmost precaution while drawing electricity and cable TV lines and cover them with pipes so as to prevent accidents in the future.