The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Bereaved family rejects compensation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bereaved family rejects compensation

By Our Staff Reporter

The Minister for Energy, H.D. Revanna, consoling Ananthakrishnan and Latha, parents of Anish, who was electrocuted, in Bangalore on Wednesday. — Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

BANGALORE, JULY 14. When the Minister for Energy, H.D. Revanna, went to the house of Anish, the seven-year-old who was electrocuted in Indiranagar 2nd Stage on Monday, to console the boy's parents, they told him that they did not want any money from the Government.

As neighbours and passers-by gathered around, Ananthakrishnan, father of Anish, said the money would not bring back his son. "Thank you, but we don't want the money (the Minister wanted to give them Rs. one lakh as compensation). We can earn lakhs on our own," he said.

Mr. Ananthakrishnan travelled from the U.S. on Wednesday for his son's last rites. He, his wife, Latha, and their daughter, Gayathri (13), were still coming to terms with their loss when Mr. Revanna reached their house. An emotional relative burst out: "Nothing's going to change, that wire (the one Anish had touched) was lying like that for two or three days. We complained, no one attended to it." The relative said: "He (Anish) did not even see his dad. He was such a brilliant student." Jetlagged and exhausted, Mr. Ananthakrishnan was gracious with his VIP visitor. "At least now, let this not happen to anyone else," he said.

He wanted a

window seat

Anish's relatives told The Hindu that the little boy was excited about travelling to the U.S. later this week.

"Just last Sunday, he called up his father and told him he wanted a window seat. He did not want his sister to get one," a choked relative said.

He was a lovable boy. "He would run up to strangers and ask their names. And then, he would call them uncle or aunty. He was so full of life," said a mourner.

The area residents have put up posters bearing Anish's likeness near his house. They have also put up posters saying: "Arrest the cable operator," "Arrest KEB (Bescom) officials."

Mr. Revanna told presspersons that he had asked Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) to investigate into the matter.

"A chief engineer will do the work," he said.

This was apart from the investigation by the Electrical Inspectorate. "The enquiry report will be ready in a week's time," Mr. Revanna said.

He directed Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) to remove all illegal cables. "I have asked the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner to survey all streetlights. And I have asked Bescom to find out who gave the cable operators permission to put up their cables," he said.

"I pray to god to give Anish's parents the strength to face this tragedy. It could have been my son," he said.

Our Special Correspondent adds:

The Minister announced that a circular would be issued holding officials of BESCOM and KPTCL responsible for any such incident in future.

Mr. Revanna said the Chief Engineer of BESCOM would inquire into the incident and report within a week.

Pending this inquiry, two engineers, he said, had been suspended.

He appealed to the members of the public to inform BESCOM immediately if they came across such hazardous situations.

Mr. Revanna said he would get details from the electricity authorities on violations in installations that posed danger to the public and have them rectified.

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