Furniture shop owner, worker electrocuted in Sonepat

In a tragic incident, a 61-year-old furniture shop owner and his 20-year-old employee were electrocuted in Sonepat today afternoon after an iron ladder became live with electric current. Two others, including the businessman’s son, sustained electric shocks while trying to save them.

The deceased have been identified as Narender Kumar Gupta, a resident of Mission Chowk, and Shubham, originally from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, who was currently living in Arya Nagar. Gupta ran a furniture and utensils shop near his home, where Shubham and another worker, Rohit, were employed.

According to police, heavy rain in the morning had caused water to enter the shop. Around 2:30 pm, after the rain stopped, Gupta and his son, Dipanshu, went to clean up. Gupta asked Shubham to check the rooftop.

Shubham went to the back of the shop where an iron ladder was fixed, but did not return. Concerned, Gupta sent Rohit to check. Rohit found Shubham unconscious on the ladder and rushed back to inform Gupta.

“After hearing about Shubham, Narender Gupta and his son went there and tried to save him using a wooden stick. Unfortunately, Gupta also got electrocuted,” said Inspector Arun Kumar, SHO, City police station.

Dipanshu and Rohit attempted to rescue Gupta but also received electric shocks, falling some distance away. Both injured were later stabilised.

Local residents rushed Gupta and Shubham to a private hospital, where doctors declared them dead. The bodies were sent to the civil hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.

Mayor Rajiv Jain, along with Jila Vyapar Mandal president Sanjay Singla and other members, met the bereaved family to offer condolences.