Asks her to demand compensation from PSEB whose negligence claimed the lives of her husband and son Coming to the rescue of a poor widow who has no financial means to contest a legal battle against the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB),laxity on part of which allegedly resulted in the death of her husband and their nine-year-old son,the Punjab and Haryana High Court has awarded her an ad hoc compensation of Rs 3 lakh. Justice Surya Kant has awarded the compensation to the widow,Manwati,so that she can file a case in the lower court,seeking compensation from the PSEB. Sita Ram (42),husband of Manwati who lives in a slum in Mohali,died three years ago in a mishap along with his nine year old son Rajesh. The two were returning home on the intervening night of August 2 and 3,2008,when a high-voltage cable hanging near their hut fell on the two. Both died,of electrocution,on the spot. Advocate Pankaj Jain,counsel for Manwati,placed on record evidence to substantiate the claim that Sita Ram and his son died due to the lackadaisical attitude of the PSEB. Jain averred that the authorities were sent numerous written representations by the residents of the area to remove the high-tension wire hanging loose,but to no avail. Jain also placed on record the report of an electrical inspector to the Punjab government,which said if the supplier (PSEB) had maintained its protection system in fair order,the incident could have been avoided. On the basis of this report,Manwati moved the High Court,seeking compensation. Jain highlighted that Manwati had no means to earn her livelihood and raise her three children. To ensure that the widow faces no difficulty in monetary terms to file a case in the lower court,demanding compensation,Justice Surya Kant awarded an ad hoc compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the widow. She has been asked to file a suit in a lower court only the lower court is competent to award compensation under the relevant provisions of law.
