The Case of Guddu Sonkar and the Continuing Failure of Power Safety Accountability

Death by Electrocution in Mirzapur:

The Case of Guddu Sonkar and the Continuing Failure of Power Safety Accountability

NHRC Diary No.: 4043/IN/2025
NHRC Case/File No.: 2168/24/55/2025
Category: Death Due to Electrocution (1514)
Date of Incident: 22 February 2025
Place: Bankuthpur village, Adalhat Police Station area, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh
Victim: Guddu Sonkar (30 years)
Caste: Scheduled Caste

Introduction

Deaths caused by unsafe electricity infrastructure continue to claim lives in rural Uttar Pradesh, disproportionately affecting Dalit and economically vulnerable communities. The death of Guddu Sonkar, a 30-year-old Scheduled Caste man from Bankuthpur village in Mirzapur district, is another stark reminder of the systemic negligence surrounding power distribution safety.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, the response of authorities—particularly the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)—has been marked by delay, silence, and non-compliance, prompting repeated interventions by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Incident Overview

According to the complaint submitted to the NHRC:

• On 22 February 2025, a high-voltage electric wire snapped and fell near the bypass over-bridge area in Bankuthpur village, Mirzapur.

• Guddu Sonkar came into contact with the live wire and died due to electrocution.

• The incident occurred in a public space, indicating a grave failure in maintaining electrical safety infrastructure.

• The deceased belonged to a Scheduled Caste, raising concerns about structural vulnerability and neglect.

The complainant sought:

• An independent investigation

• Accountability of the electricity department

• Appropriate compensation for the victim’s family

NHRC’s Cognizance and Early Action

The NHRC received the complaint on 28 February 2025 and registered it under Section M-5.

On 14 July 2025, the Commission:

• Took cognizance of the death

• Directed the Chairman, UPPCL, Lucknow to:

  • Examine the matter

  • Take necessary action

  • Submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks

Continued Non-Compliance by UPPCL

Despite clear directions from the NHRC:

• No Action Taken Report was submitted by UPPCL

• The Commission issued a reminder on 27 August 2025

• Still, no response was received

This compelled the NHRC, on 22 December 2025, to issue a final reminder, warning that:

Failure to submit the report would force the Commission to invoke its coercive powers under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

A deadline was fixed for 15 January 2026.

Key Human Rights Concerns

1. Right to Life (Article 21)

Death due to exposed or fallen high-voltage wires is a direct violation of the right to life, especially when it occurs in public areas.

2. State’s Duty of Care

Electricity distribution agencies have a non-delegable duty to:

• Maintain safe infrastructure

• Prevent foreseeable harm

• Act immediately after fatal incidents

3. Caste and Structural Vulnerability

The victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste, reflecting a pattern where:

• Marginalized communities live near unsafe infrastructure

• Preventive maintenance is weakest

• Accountability is slowest

4. Administrative Apathy

Repeated silence by UPPCL despite NHRC notices reflects:

• Institutional disregard for human life

• Weak compliance culture with human rights bodies

• A normalization of electrocution deaths as “routine accidents”

A Pattern, Not an Isolated Incident

This case mirrors several earlier electrocution deaths across Uttar Pradesh where:

• Authorities respond only after fatalities

• Infrastructure is “corrected” post-death

• Compensation replaces accountability

• Criminal or departmental liability is rarely fixed

The delay in responding to NHRC itself becomes a secondary violation—undermining the credibility of oversight mechanisms.

Conclusion

Guddu Sonkar’s death was not inevitable.
It was preventable.

A fallen high-voltage wire in a public space represents state failure, not fate. The continued non-response of UPPCL to NHRC directions deepens the injustice and reflects how Dalit lives remain expendable in infrastructural governance.

Justice in such cases must mean:

• Transparent investigation

• Departmental and criminal accountability

• Timely and adequate compensation

• Structural reforms in power safety

Until then, electrocution deaths will continue to be recorded—not prevented.

This blog is based entirely on NHRC records and official correspondence in Case No. 2168/24/55/2025.