#public utility liability

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) is strictly liable for fatal electrocution accidents on its public network under its 2019 policy, mandating compensation under the Employees Compensation Act, 1923. The ruling underscores that electricity distribution is a hazardous activity, making UHBVN liable regardless of fault or the cause of the accident.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that interest paid under the Electricity Supply Code 2014 constitutes lawful compensation for wrongful withholding of funds by a public utility. The court held that such interest cannot be recovered, even if the original order did not explicitly direct its payment, as it offsets the financial loss suffered by the petitioner due to delayed compliance.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that strict liability under the Electricity Act, 2003 overrides humanitarian compensation policies, awarding Rs.99.94 lakh to a six-year-old electrocution victim. The judgment includes compensation for future prospects, attendant care, and loss of marriage prospects, setting a precedent for full reparation in public utility liability cases involving children.

Bombay High Court grants additional Rs. 25 lakh compensation for severe electrocution injuries, clarifying limits of writ jurisdiction and preserving right to pursue civil remedies.