SHAKUNTALA DEVI Vs. DELHI ELECTRIC SUPPLY UNDERTAKING

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a petition by the widow of deceased Ram Naresh Yadav under Article 32 of the Constitution of India against Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking, Life Insurance Corporation of India and M/s. Fixwell Push-in-cords Pvt. Ltd., praying for appropriate directions against the respondents to award to the petitioner suitable compensation of Rs.5 lakhs on account of the death of her husband which according to her was caused by criminal negligence on the part of Respondent No. 1.

(2.) This is an unfortunate case in which a young and sole bread-winner of the petitioners family was lost on account of a tragic accident in which he got electrocuted by a live wire of electricity which was being supplied at the spot by Respondent No. 1, Undertaking. That left the petitioner a young widow and three small children destitutes. A few relevant facts leading to these proceedings may be noted at this stage. The deceased husband of the petitioner got employment as gardener in the organisation of respondent No. 3 which is situated at village, Dhundahera. The husband of the petitioner was staying at village Kapashera on the outskirts of New Delhi. The wife of the deceased along with her three children, namely, Anil Kumar (son) aged about 18 years, Anita Kumari (daughter) aged about 16 years and Sunita Kumari (daughter) aged about 9 years was staying in their village Atepur. The deceased was the only earning member in their family and was maintaining them.

(3.) The petitioners husband got a policy of life insurance for an amount of Rs. 25,000/- and his life was insured against accidental death by respondent No.2 Corporation. According to the petitioner her husband was regularly paying the insurance premia.