NHRC sends notice over electrocution of Greater Noida girl

The 10-year-old lost her hands after she accidentally came in contact with a high tension wire over her house in Greater Noida.

The National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) and the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar after a 10-year-old girl lost her hands after she accidentally came in contact with a high tension wire over her house in Greater Noida. The commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about the incident that took place on July 7.

The girl got electrocuted after coming into contact with a high tension wire over her house in Greater Noida.

The girl suffered burns due to shock from the 11 KV cable over her house in Mirzapur village of Rabupura, an official statement said, adding that she was taken to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where both her hands had to be amputated.

Neighbours of the girl, Devki, said that no official from the district administration came to her aid. Ramavtar, Devki’s uncle, said, “No one from the UPPCL, which is responsible for the incident, came to see the family. Mahender (Devki’s father) is still in the hospital with his daughter.”

The commission stated that authorities cannot escape responsibility and sought a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. Officials are also expected to inform about steps being taken to avoid such incidents in the future.

NP Singh, the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, said, “We have not received the NHRC letter yet but we will definitely take necessary action in this regard.”

UPPCL officials said that the (the girl’s) residence is illegally extended towards the road on which 11KV lines are installed. “We have initiated an inquiry into it and will soon reply to NHRC. We have observed the most of the houses have been illegally extended on the roads. We will inspect the village again,” Mukul Singhal, superintending engineer (SE) of UPPCL, said.