Bescom lineman on duty falls from pole, dies

An assistant lineman of Bescom working atop an electricity pole to fix a problem died after he suffered electric shock and fell from a height of 20 feet at Industrial Area near Yelahanka New Town on Friday. 

The deceased has been identified as M Mathapathi, a resident of Chikkabommasandra and a native of Kalaburagi. He was working with Yelahanka Bescom office for the last 16 years.

The Yelahanka sub-division office of the Bescom had received a complaint regarding a problem in 11 kV line in Yelahanka New Town Industrial Area.

 Supervisor Chennegowda and two linemen - Mathapathi and Venkatesh - went to the Industrial Area around 3.30 pm. Both had climbed two separate poles to take up repair. But, there was sudden flow of power in the wires connected to the pole on which Mathapathi was working. He fell down from a height of 20 feet and crashed on the ground sustaining serious head injuries, said the police. He was rushed to MS Ramaiah Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 5.45 pm, added the police.

The Yelahanka sub-division Bescom office assistant executive engineer has lodged a complaint against a software firm close the electricity pole on which Mathapathi was working. 

There was some problem in the generators which the software company had installed on its office premises. The Bescom staff disconnected the power supply for repair, but the company personnel were not aware of it. 

They switched on the generator which resulted in power supply leading to the tragic incident, police said. A case under IPC Section 304A (causing death by negligence) has been registered against the company.