Kerala HC Slams State Water Authority Over Electrocution Death at Sabarimala
KOCHI, June 5: The Kerala High Court Today Criticized the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) for its lax attitude in a case involving the electrocution death of a pilgrim at Sabarimala.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S was hearing Suo Motu proceedings over the 19-May-2025 incident in which Bharathamma, a pilgrim from Telangana, was electrocuted by a faulty water kiosk near Shed No. 2 at Pamba.
Despite repeated adjournments, the Court noted that the KWA’s Standing Counsel had failed to provide proper instructions. The Bench expressed shock, remarking, “This has happened at a place where a Constitutional authority was about to have pilgrimage.”
The interim order stated that the kiosk, instead of being securely installed, was tied to an electric post using a GI wire. The Court demanded the presence of the KWA’s Standing Counsel in person and listed the matter for further hearing next Tuesday.
The Court took Suo Motu cognizance of the incident, which occurred during the Edavamasa pooja. Reports from the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Executive Engineer (Electrical) were submitted, recommending urgent joint inspections by the Electrical Inspectorate, Devaswom Board’s Electric Wing, and KSEB.
The Court had earlier directed a joint safety audit of electrical installations from Pamba to Sannidhanam to avoid further incidents.