Minor Rudra’s death exposes negligence in Panipat; rights panel orders fresh reports

The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken a serious view of the electrocution death of minor boy Rudra, caused by an unsafe LT fuse board attached to a transformer in Rampura Colony, Kabri Road, Panipat. The incident occurred on February 6 last year.

The Commission criticised both Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and the Municipal Corporation (MC), Panipat, expressing dissatisfaction with the reports submitted by the departments.

It has directed the Superintending Engineer (SE), UHBVN, to appear personally with all relevant documents and asked the MC Commissioner to file a fresh report on the incident.

HHRC spokesperson Dr Puneet Arora said the SP Panipat’s report, received on October 27, stated that an FIR under Section 304-A IPC was registered on February 6 last year, the accused Sandeep was arrested, and after completion of investigation, the final report (challan) has been submitted in court. The case is listed for prosecution evidence on March 20, 2026.

A separate report from the SE, UHBVN, was also examined. Commission chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia expressed dissatisfaction, especially about compensation, and directed the SE to “personally appear” and file a fresh report explaining the criteria used to fix the compensation at Rs 1 lakh.

The MC report said the road level in the area was raised by six inches during work in June 2023 and included photographs of the site before and after construction. It noted the LT fuse board of the 63 KVA transformer was already in a low and unsafe position before roadwork began. The Commission found the MC failed to install barricading, fencing or warning signage around the hazardous structure, calling such measures essential for “public — especially child — safety.”

Dr Arora said the MC Commissioner has been directed to submit a fresh status report. The Commission has also summoned the investigation officer from the Old Industrial Area police station with the complete case record on January 15, 2026.