Man loses hands: NHRC orders Odisha govt to pay compensation

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Jan 10:

The National Human Rights Commission today ordered the Odisha government to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to a victim of electric shock who has lost both of his hands.

A division bench of the Commission comprising Justices H L Dattu, D Murugesan and S C Sinha directed the state Chief Secretary to pay the compensation amount within six weeks and submit compliance.

The NHRC issued the order after conducting a hearing on the petition filed by human rights activist and young lawyer Prabir Das.

According to case records, one Santosh Sahoo (29) of Janha village under Jajpur Road police limits, an employee of Nesco had climbed an electric pole on June 24, 2014 for undertaking repairs and had received severe electric shock. He was shifted to SCB Medical College & Hospital for treatment. Though his life could be saved both of his hands had to be amputated rendering him physically handicapped.

Das had petitioned the Commission to award compensation to Sahoo. He had alleged that Sahoo was not provided with necessary safety gear before embarking on the job.