In a devastating case highlighting public infrastructure dangers, four Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) officials, including a junior engineer, sub-divisional officer, and executive engineer, have been booked on criminal charges.
This follows the tragic electrocution of seven-year-old Taimur in Dankaur, Gautam Buddh Nagar, on 22 May, which resulted in the amputation of both of his hands.
The child’s father, Naushad Ali, had repeatedly alerted authorities to hazardous, low-hanging power lines in his neighbourhood, yet alleges his appeals were ignored.
Now, parallel police and departmental investigations are underway, fuelling public anger and prompting widespread demands for systemic reform.
Family Devastated, Questions Multiply
Taimur was playing on a neighbour’s rooftop a common pastime for children in the neighbourhood when he accidentally touched an exposed 11,000-volt electric cable hanging dangerously low. The incident not only shocked the community, but exposed gross lapses in safety oversight.
Ali, recounting the harrowing ordeal, stated, “I begged electricity officials and even the district magistrate for help. Nobody responded until my son lost both arms.” The immediate aftermath saw Taimur rushed to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
Doctors performed multiple surgeries in a desperate attempt to save his limbs, but ultimately, life-threatening infections forced amputations below the elbows. Hospital officials, in statements to the press, highlighted both the severity and preventability of Taimur’s injuries.
“Early intervention by authorities may have averted this tragedy,” said one attending surgeon. Meanwhile, the incident has left Taimur struggling to adjust to his new reality, his family grappling with the emotional, financial, and psychological fallout. Neighbours and local rights activists rallied around the family, demanding stricter penalties for errant officials.
Official Negligence and a Pattern of Preventable Tragedy
The Dankaur incident is not isolated. On 18 May, two young sisters in Maicha Ki Madheya village were left critically injured after trying to save their father from electrocution, himself a victim of a power transformer allegedly installed over local objections.
A separate FIR was lodged against officials in that case, sparking wider scrutiny of UPPCL’s maintenance and response protocols. Residents and safety watchdogs point to a recurring lack of urgency in responding to complaints, particularly in suburban and rural environments where the risk of poorly maintained electrical infrastructure is highest.
Local government sources confirmed that a departmental probe has been initiated; the faulty line was replaced post-incident, and higher authorities have demanded a detailed report. UPPCL’s Chief Engineer admitted to preliminary lapses and publically pledged reforms, though community trust remains low.
Recent statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau and media reports underscore a grim pattern: dozens of such electrocutions are recorded in Uttar Pradesh each year, many involving children or untrained bystanders.
Bridging the Gap: The Road Ahead
Experts in public safety argue that true prevention will require more than punitive action against individuals, demanding a wholesale culture shift towards transparency, community engagement, and technological upgrades.
Suggestions include: regular safety audits, prompt redressals of citizen complaints, and clear, accountable communication between residents, officials, and local governance bodies. Civil society groups are calling for government-funded victim support schemes and ongoing rehabilitation assistance for families like Taimur’s.
“Accountability must be institutionalised, not sporadic,” urges Vikas Singh, a local activist who’s been organising community meetings since the incident.
Parents across Dankaur have begun mobilising for greater oversight and infrastructure checks, hopeful their collective voice will drive lasting improvements and spare others from similar hardships.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian mourns with Taimur’s family and all those impacted by avoidable, infrastructure-related tragedies. This case represents more than a singular failure it challenges us as a society to value each child’s right to safety and to demand meaningful reform from those in power.
True progress lies in fostering empathy, upholding the sanctity of life, and cultivating proactive, accountable governance at every level. Our commitment is to amplify these voices and support every family’s quest for justice.
How should we, as a society, advance beyond outrage to achieve lasting safety for our communities? Which practical steps whether community action, legal reforms, or public pressure hold the greatest promise for ensuring this never happens again?
