JOIN USAn electrical worker hired by a contractor was electrocuted while working on an electricity pole in the heart of Hubballi on Friday.
Shankargouda K Patil (26), a native of Chakhapur in Shiggaon taluk, Haveri district, was busy with line-shifting work on an electricity pole near Basel Mission English School on Karwar Road when electric current started flowing into it. He died on the spot. Police officers and Hubli Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) staff rushed to the spot and brought his body down.
A Hescom official said power supply had been disconnected for the work, but an error in a nearby transformer possibly reversed into the line. The Hescom electrical inspector will conduct an enquiry into the incident. Further action will be taken based on his report.
The deceased was hired by Tajuddin Hirehal, who has the contract to shift electricity poles and lines.
Local residents and passersby gathered at the spot and expressed anger at the contractor for not taking adequate safety measures.
Some of them are said to have assaulted the contractor’s assistant and the Hescom staff. Police mildly caned the crowd to disperse it. A case has been registered at the Hubballi Suburban police station.