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.

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.