In a significant judgment in a highly sensitive case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered compensation of ₹99.93 lakh for a six-year-old girl who suffered 92% permanent disability due to an electric shock incident.
The court observed that while human life cannot be valued in monetary terms, it is the responsibility of the State to provide fair and adequate compensation to victims of negligence.
The victim, Anshu, a resident of Mahendragarh, approached the High Court seeking justice. On January 25, 2022, the child was playing on the rooftop of her house when she came into contact with an 11 KV high-tension electricity line passing dangerously close to her home. She sustained severe burn injuries and later underwent treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh, where her right arm had to be amputated from the shoulder.
According to medical reports, the girl suffered 92% permanent disability. The court held that the accident occurred due to negligence on the part of the electricity corporation. Investigations revealed that the high-tension line was installed too close to the residence and necessary safety measures were not implemented.
The High Court emphasized that agencies operating hazardous utilities like electricity bear strict responsibility to ensure public safety. Earlier, the electricity corporation had granted compensation of ₹18.92 lakh under a policy dated July 15, 2019, but the victim challenged the amount as inadequate.
The court ruled that the earlier compensation was insufficient and stated that a comprehensive assessment must consider future income loss, medical expenses, pain and suffering, caregiving needs, and the long-term impact on the child’s life, including marriage prospects.
While calculating compensation, the court assessed the child’s notional monthly income at ₹20,000, added 40% future prospects, and applied a multiplier of 18. Additional amounts included ₹21.60 lakh for caregiving expenses, ₹15 lakh for pain and suffering, ₹10 lakh for prosthetic limbs and future medical treatment, and ₹5 lakh for loss of amenities of life.
The total compensation was fixed at ₹9,993,600 (₹99.93 lakh). The court clarified that the previously paid amount would remain separate and no deduction would be made from the newly awarded compensation.
The court directed authorities to release payment within three months along with 7.5% interest. Ninety percent of the amount will be kept in a fixed deposit in the child’s name, while approximately ₹30,000 monthly interest will be used for her care, nutrition, education, and support needs.
Permission was also granted to withdraw additional funds when required for advanced prosthetics, medical treatment, or emergencies. The court strongly remarked that forcing an innocent child to live a lifetime with disability due to administrative negligence represents a grave failure of public safety responsibility.
