T’puram: State human rights commission (SHRC) directed KSEB to expedite payment of compensation to the legal heirs of Leelamani, a resident of Attingal, who was electrocuted by a damaged service wire to her home in July 2025.SHRC also instructed district administration to take measures to appoint a guardian for Leelamani’s heir, who faces mental challenges, as per the National Trust Act of 1999. A panel chaired by district collector is supposed to act on that. SHRC issued the directives in a suo motu case registered based on newspaper reports. According to a statement from the commission, KSEB chief safety commissioner informed the commission in writing that KSEB admitted its lapses that led to Leelamani’s death. She suffered a fatal electric shock from a broken service wire that was poorly repaired with insulation tape. A plantain tree fell on the wire, causing it to break at the joint, leading to Leelamani’s electrocution when she touched the exposed part. The report stated that KSEB was liable for the accident due to the unsafe condition of the service wire, violating central electricity authority regulations. SHRC chairman Justice Alexander Thomas ordered KSEB to report within six weeks on the actions. Chief safety commissioner reported that compensation of Rs 10 lakh could not be released to Leelamani’s dependants because they did not submit necessary heirship certificate. Leelamani’s two adopted children were waiting for the issuance of heirship certificate from tahsildar concerned. TNN
