The Bilaspur Municipal Corporation on Thursday took action against an allegedly unauthorised construction located dangerously close to an 11 KV high-tension power line, a day after two workers died of electrocution at the site.

The civic team reached the construction site with a bulldozer and began removing the portion of the building that officials said had been constructed in violation of the approved building plan. The action led to a heated argument between the house owner and municipal officials.

The property owner alleged that the Municipal Corporation had approved the building plan and that no prior notice had been served regarding the alleged unauthorised construction. Officials, however, maintained that notices had been issued twice and that construction continued despite the objections.

Two Workers Died in Electrocution

The incident took place in Swarn Jayanti Nagar Colony in Ward No. 19 of Kasturba Nagar, where a house belonging to Anup Singh was under construction.

On Wednesday, two workers, Bhupendra Sahu and Ravi Banjare, reportedly came in contact with an 11 KV high-tension line while working at the site. Both suffered fatal electric shocks and died.

Following the incident, Municipal Commissioner Prakash Kumar Sarve directed officials to remove the alleged unauthorised construction. A letter was also sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police seeking police assistance for the civic action.

Owner Objects to Demolition

When the municipal team arrived at the site with a bulldozer on Thursday, the property owner objected to the demolition.

The owner reportedly argued that the building plan had been approved by the Municipal Corporation and claimed that no objections had been raised by engineers during construction. He also alleged that no notice had been served before the demolition drive.

The dispute between the two sides reportedly escalated into a heated argument at the site.

Corporation Says Plan Was Violated

Municipal Building Officer Anupam Tiwari said the owner had constructed a portion of the building in violation of the sanctioned plan, particularly close to the high-tension line.

According to the corporation, the demolition was limited to the unauthorised portion. Officials said around nine feet of the construction at the front of the house was removed using a bulldozer.

Open Space Was Required

Sub-Engineer Jugal Singh said the approved building plan required open space to be maintained around the structure.

According to him, three metres of space was required in front of the building, three metres towards the road and 1.50 metres on another side. Open space was also required at the rear.

Officials said the construction found at the site did not comply with these requirements and that additional construction had been carried out close to the 11 KV power line.

Two Notices Were Issued

The Municipal Corporation's Zone-3 officials said notices were issued to building owner Anup Singh Thakur on April 9 and May 13, 2026, directing him to stop construction.

Officials said an inspection had found that the building was not being constructed according to the sanctioned plan. Despite the notices, construction allegedly continued.

Local residents also claimed that complaints had earlier been made regarding the construction. They questioned why stricter action was not taken when the alleged violation was first detected.

Some residents said that had the construction been stopped earlier, the fatal accident might have been prevented. However, this remains an allegation and has not been independently established.

Allegations of Political Pressure

During the demolition, there were also claims that attempts were being made to stop the civic action through political intervention. Some local residents alleged that the property owner was close to a local BJP leader.

Residents further alleged that the leader had been active during proceedings related to the construction and demarcation of the property.

These allegations have not been independently verified.

Municipal officials continued with the action and said they would remain at the site until the remaining alleged unauthorised construction was addressed.

Police Investigating Accident

Police are separately investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two workers.

Torwa police station in-charge Kishore Kenwat said the two deceased workers had previously worked with the contractor. They had reportedly approached him on Tuesday seeking work.

Police are investigating why the workers were on the roof and what work they were carrying out when they came into contact with the high-tension line. The roles of the property owner, contractor and others associated with the construction are also being examined.

According to police, no cement stains were found on the bodies or clothes of the deceased workers. After the post-mortem process, the bodies were handed over to their families for the last rites.

Municipal File Under Review

Executive Engineer Praveen Shukla said the corporation had received complaints from residents and that a notice had been issued to Anup Singh.

He also said a letter had been sent to the tehsildar for demarcation of the property.

Shukla added that his zone was later changed and that he was not aware of why further action was not taken at that stage.

Municipal officials said the complete file is now being examined. The sanctioned building plan and the construction found at the site will be compared, after which further action will be taken according to the applicable rules.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the recent electrocution deaths of a former village sarpanch and her two sons in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district, the Chhattisgarh High Court has sought detailed affidavits from the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) and the state Energy Department regarding measures to prevent such incidents.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal treated media reports on the incident as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and directed the Managing Director of CSPDCL and the Principal Secretary of the Energy Department to explain the existing safety mechanisms, inspection protocols and preventive measures related to electrical infrastructure across the state.

Court Raises Public Safety Concerns

The High Court observed that deaths caused by electrically charged fencing have become a recurring concern in Chhattisgarh. Farmers and property owners often install live electric fencing around agricultural fields, farmhouses and residential premises to protect crops, livestock and property. However, such illegal practices have repeatedly resulted in fatal accidents involving unsuspecting people.

The bench remarked that the issue extends beyond human safety, affecting domestic animals and wildlife as well, making it a matter of broader public safety and environmental concern.

Criminal Cases Alone Not Enough

During the hearing, the court noted that merely registering criminal cases against those responsible after accidents is insufficient. The repeated occurrence of similar incidents indicates the need for a comprehensive and long-term preventive framework.

The judges stressed that authorities must establish effective monitoring systems, regular inspections and accountability mechanisms to minimise electrocution-related fatalities across the state.

Questions on Policy and SOP

The High Court has directed that the Managing Director of CSPDCL be formally impleaded as a respondent in the PIL. It has also sought clarification from the state government on whether a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or any specific policy currently exists to prevent deaths caused by illegal electric fencing and unsafe electrical infrastructure.

If no such policy exists, the court has instructed the authorities to specify the proposed timeline for formulating and implementing one. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for July 23.

Incident Triggering Court Action

The court's intervention follows the deaths of a former woman sarpanch and her two sons in Bhadam village of Kota block after they allegedly came in contact with an electrified fence while working in their agricultural field.

The tragic incident prompted widespread concern over the growing number of electrocution deaths in rural areas.

Eight Deaths in Two Months

According to reports placed before the court, Bilaspur district has witnessed at least eight electrocution-related deaths over the past two months. Residents have also raised concerns over sagging power lines, deteriorating electrical infrastructure and inadequate preventive action by authorities.

While the power department has largely issued public advisories urging caution, the High Court indicated that stronger institutional measures are necessary to prevent future tragedies.

The matter comes even as another case concerning the state's electricity infrastructure remains pending before the High Court.

A tragic electrocution incident claimed the lives of three members of a family, including a former village sarpanch and her two sons, in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district on Friday. The victims reportedly came into contact with a live wire while fencing their agricultural field, leaving the village in shock.

The incident occurred in Bhadam village under the Kota police station limits. Police have launched an investigation to determine how electricity passed through the fencing wire installed around the field.

The deceased have been identified as Dasan Bai, a former sarpanch of the village, her elder son Vivek Singraul (23), and her younger son Satyavrat Singraul (14).

According to preliminary police findings, Dasan Bai had gone to her agricultural field on Friday morning to install a protective fence along the boundary to prevent stray animals from entering the farmland. She was accompanied by both her sons, who were helping her secure a GI wire and nylon rope along the field's embankment.

During the work, electricity allegedly passed through the GI wire, resulting in a powerful electric shock. Officials believe the current was so strong that the three victims had little opportunity to escape.

Investigators suspect Dasan Bai was the first to come into contact with the electrified wire. As she collapsed, her sons reportedly rushed to rescue her. Tragically, both boys were also electrocuted one after another while attempting to save their mother.

All three died at the scene before any medical assistance could reach them.

The heartbreaking incident came to light only later in the evening when Dasan Bai's husband, Sitaram Singraul, returned home from work. A driver by profession, Sitaram found that his wife and sons had not returned from the fields.

After searching nearby and making inquiries with relatives, he went to the family farm, where he discovered the bodies lying near the fencing wire. He immediately alerted the Kota police.

Police personnel reached the spot shortly after receiving the information and secured the area. Since it was already late in the evening, post-mortem examinations could not be conducted the same day. The bodies were sent for autopsy on Saturday before being handed over to the family for the last rites.

Authorities said the exact source of the electricity remains unknown.

Investigators are examining whether the GI wire accidentally came into contact with a live power line, or whether a technical fault in the electrical system caused the current to pass through the fencing. Officials have not ruled out any possibility and said a detailed technical inspection will determine the exact cause of the accident.

A case has been registered, and police are continuing their investigation.

The incident has plunged Bhadam village into mourning, with residents expressing grief over the loss of three members of the same family within moments. Villagers described Dasan Bai as a respected former public representative who had remained actively involved in community affairs even after completing her tenure as sarpanch.

The tragedy also serves as another reminder of the dangers associated with electrical hazards in agricultural fields, particularly during the monsoon season when moisture can increase the risk of accidental electrocution. Authorities have advised farmers to inspect electrical installations around farmlands and immediately report any exposed or damaged power lines to the electricity department.

Further findings are expected after police receive technical reports from the electricity department and complete their investigation.

11 KV line accident leaves lineman with severe burns and multiple fractures; colleagues allege negligence

A lineman suffered serious injuries early Tuesday morning after a high-tension power line was suddenly restored while he was working on it at the Chorhata Distribution Centre in Rewa district. The worker, identified as Kamlesh, was electrocuted, his clothes caught fire, and he fell from the 11 KV pole, fracturing both arms and legs.

The incident occurred around 8:30 am when Kamlesh had climbed the pole to carry out repair work on a transformer. According to initial information, he had followed procedure and ensured the line was de-energised before beginning his work. At some point, someone restored the power supply without checking whether workers were still on the pole.

Sudden Restoration of Power

The moment current flowed through the line, Kamlesh received a severe electric shock. Co-workers present at the site said the impact was so intense that his clothing immediately caught fire. Disoriented and in agony, he lost his grip and fell straight down from the height.

The fall, combined with the electrical burns, left him in critical condition. Workers on the ground rushed towards him while others ran to cut off the supply again. Local residents gathered quickly, and an ambulance was called to the spot.

Multiple Injuries Reported

Kamlesh was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors are currently treating him for severe burns across his body. Medical staff confirmed multiple fractures in both hands and legs due to the impact of the fall. His condition is stated to be serious, and he remains under close observation.

Hospital sources said the next 48 hours would be crucial in determining the extent of recovery, particularly regarding the burn injuries and potential nerve damage from the electric shock.

Colleagues Allege Departmental Negligence

Fellow workers have accused the electricity department of gross negligence. They claim Kamlesh had properly obtained permission and ensured the line was switched off before climbing the pole. Someone, they allege, restarted the supply without following basic safety checks.

According to workers at the Chorhata centre, such lapses are not new. They pointed out that communication between substation staff and field workers is often poor, with no clear protocol to prevent exactly this kind of accident. Officials have been informed of the incident, and the injured worker's family has reached the hospital.

Calls for Investigation

Senior electricity department officials have been notified about the accident. A sense of anger and unease has spread among local staff, who are demanding an impartial departmental inquiry. They want those responsible for the negligence identified and strict action taken against them.

So far, no formal statement has been issued by the Rewa district electricity office regarding the sequence of events. Sources said a preliminary fact-finding exercise has been initiated, though no timeline for a full investigation has been provided.

Kanker police on Tuesday said they have arrested four people, including the deceased man’s wife, in connection with a year-old murder that was earlier treated as a suspicious death. According to investigators, 32-year-old Mukesh Vishwas was given heavy doses of alcohol and, while unconscious, was killed by applying electric current using a tubewell wire.

Case reopened

The body of Mukesh, a resident of Dalli-Rajhara in Balod district, was discovered in the Bande area of Kanker on May 24, 2025. Initial post-mortem findings showed burn marks on both hands and fingers, and the cause of death was recorded as electrocution, but the case had remained unsolved due to lack of direct leads.

“Initial reports indicated accidental death, but irregularities prompted a fresh look,” said a senior police officer who asked not to be named. Superintendent of Police Nikhil Ashok Kumar Rakhecha later formed a special team to re-investigate pending leads and revisit forensic evidence.

Electronic trail, forensic work

Police said the breakthrough came after combined technical and scientific probes. Cyber cell analysis revealed frequent electronic communication between Mukesh’s wife, identified as Saraswati Vishwas, and one Indrajit Das (31). Investigators then pursued call and location data, and matched those findings with forensic traces from the scene.

“Using technical surveillance, electronic evidence and scientific analysis, we reconstructed the crime scene and established a link between the accused and the crime,” the officer said. Items seized during raids include a tubewell electric conductor alleged to have been used in the killing, mobile phones and other corroborative material.

Alleged conspiracy and motive

According to the police charge sheet, Saraswati and Indrajit were in a long-running extramarital relationship. Mukesh had reportedly been preparing to file for divorce, and domestic disputes over the relationship had escalated in recent months. Sources familiar with the probe said the couple’s personal tensions provided the motive for a planned murder.

Investigators allege that on the day of the crime the accused lured Mukesh to a hut in a field belonging to co-accused Ranjit Sarkar. There, the accused forced alcohol on Mukesh until he lost consciousness. The men then used an electric wire commonly used for tubewells to administer a fatal shock, the police said. Afterward, the group attempted to present the death as accidental.

Arrests and remand

The four accused — Saraswati Vishwas (wife), Indrajit Das (lover), Surendra Bachhad (28) and Ranjit Sarkar (39) — were arrested following coordinated searches in Kanker and Balod districts and subsequently produced before a magistrate, who sent them to judicial custody, police said.

Impact and wider probe

Local residents said the arrest has sent shockwaves through the Bande community, where Mukesh’s death had been the subject of rumours for months. “People had suspected foul play but the case went cold,” one neighbour said. “It’s a relief that police reopened it.”

Police added that the special drive has also led to fresh examinations of several pending blind murder cases in the district. Officials said their review has so far helped crack four old cases, including incidents registered from Narharpur, Tadoki and Durgukondal areas.

Next steps

Investigators say they will now seek to complete forensic profiling and finalize witness statements before filing a supplementary charge sheet. The case will be investigated under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

“Further technical reports are awaited,” an officer said. “We will present all scientific and electronic evidence in court to ensure prosecution of the accused.”