Woman dies of electric shock while using water pump in Chamarajpet

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A tragic incident unfolded in the Anandapura area on Market Road in Chamarajpet, where a woman lost her life due to an electric shock while trying to start a water pump around 5:30 a.m. The deceased, identified as 58-year-old Selvi, was managing household chores and supporting her four children. Having lost her husband 12 years ago, her death leaves her children orphaned.

The heartbreaking sight of the children weeping beside their mother’s body has deeply affected the community. Following the incident, residents staged a protest against the BBMP, blocking Market Road and causing a traffic jam. The incident occurred early in the morning within the jurisdiction of Chamarajpet Police Station, but locals alleged that the police arrived only hours later. Residents revealed that none of the houses in the area have direct access to water. Instead, they rely on a large pipeline, a system they have endured for the past 30 years. They claimed that water is released at 3 a.m. and stops by 6 a.m., creating immense hardship. During the protest, police urged demonstrators to clear the road, but residents refused to disperse, vowing to continue their agitation until their demands were met.

Frustrated residents expressed anger over being overlooked despite actively participating in elections. Concerns were also raised about safety hazards in the area, particularly an electrical connection placed haphazardly near a water pump. Residents fear that children walking to and from school along the road are at serious risk, warning that further negligence could lead to more fatalities. Protesters further alleged that the police threatened them with FIRs if they continued demonstrating. They lamented that despite repeated pleas, officials had failed to respond to their g rievances, leaving them with no choice but to escalate their protests.

Local MLA  Zameer Ahmed Khan visited the site and addressed the media, attributing the tragedy to residents themselves. He claimed that the construction of illegal multi-storey buildings had hindered proper water access, forcing people to illegally connect motors to electric poles. He argued that this unauthorised use of electricity was a key factor behind such accidents.