#Rylands v Fletcher

The Gujarat High Court held that an electricity distribution licensee remains strictly liable for electrocution deaths caused by live wires, even when the consumer illegally taps the line. The ruling places primary responsibility on the supplier for the escape of dangerous energy, ensuring victims' families can claim compensation directly from the board irrespective of the consumer's power theft.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that the electricity board is strictly liable for fatal electrocution caused by a live supporting wire, even without proof of negligence, applying the doctrine of Rylands v Fletcher. This reinforces that public utilities cannot evade compensation for inherently dangerous activities, setting a critical precedent for consumer safety and tort accountability in infrastructure management.