Kolkata, India — The Calcutta High Court has ordered the CESC to provide a detailed report by November 7 following a tragic series of electrocution deaths that occurred amid severe flooding in the city. The directive came after torrential rains inundated streets earlier this week, resulting in at least nine fatalities.
In a session led by Acting Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Apurba Sinha Ray, the bench demanded clarity on the measures undertaken by CESC related to exposed wiring that contributed to the incidents. The court also called upon the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to outline its response strategy for draining floodwaters from affected areas. Authorities were furthermore instructed to detail plans to compensate the families of the victims.
The court’s inquiry follows multiple public interest litigations (PILs) that raised concerns about the government and CESC’s accountability. During the proceedings, the bench addressed issues stemming from two emails that had alerted the Chief Justice about the electrocution incidents correlated to the recent rainfall and flooding.
Among the petitions was one submitted by attorney Suparna Dutta, represented by advocate Sayan Banerjee. The petition pointed out a conflict between the state government and CESC regarding responsibility for the management of electricity supply and infrastructure. While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that CESC, a private entity, manages power distribution, CESC retorted that it does not own certain streetlight poles and traffic signals.
Critics have accused state officials of shirking responsibility during a crisis, leading to accusations of a blame-shifting game between the government and private corporations. The advocate emphasized the need for the state to uphold its welfare obligations rather than deflect blame at a time of disaster.
This situation has sparked public outcry, drawing attention to not only the immediate risks posed by unsafe electrical setups but also the broader issue of infrastructure management during extreme weather events. As Kolkata prepares for future rains, the focus will likely remain on ensuring accountability and implementing effective measures to prevent similar tragedies.
These developments highlight the urgency for both municipal authorities and utility companies to collaborate effectively, particularly in high-risk environments affected by climate change. As the court awaits responses, the families of those lost must grapple with the tragedy while the city seeks solutions to safeguard its residents.