Madras HC Grants Rs 25 Lakh To Father Of Victim Electrocuted During Tiruvannamalai 'Girivalam'

In 2014, the victim Vignesh's father Swamiji moved HC seeking compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the death of his son at a medical camp in Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple. 

The judge held the district administration and Tiruvannamalai municipality accountable and ordered the government to pay Swamiji Rs 25 lakh within a month

The Madurai bench of Madras High Court ordered Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to the father of a youth electrocuted during 'girivalam' at Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar temple in May 2014. The deceased was Angappan alias Vignesh, an engineering graduate. 

According to ANI, “Madurai bench of Madras High Court has ordered the state government to pay Rs 25 lakhs as compensation to the father of a youth who was electrocuted while visiting Tiruvannamalai in 2014.”

Madurai bench of Madras High Court has ordered the state government to pay Rs 25 lakhs as compensation to the father of a youth who was electrocuted while visiting Tiruvannamalai in 2014.

— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2023

In May 2014, Vignesh and his friends went to Tiruvannamalai to take part in 'girivalam'. At 10.45 PM, a hoarding fell on Vignesh and a few others. All of them sustained grievous injuries and were taken to a medical camp organised at the temple. 

Upon reaching the camp, Vignesh came in contact with an iron pillar of the camp tent and was electrocuted due to electricity leakage. Vignesh was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead by the doctors. 

Following this, Vignesh's father Swamiji moved HC seeking compensation of Rs 50 lakh in 2014. 

On Wednesday, Justice GR Swaminathan hearing the petition said that it was the duty of the local body to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the devotees as mentioned in Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act 1920.

"The municipality cannot remain content with a collection of license fees and tolls," the court said, as quoted by The New Indian Express. 

The judge also took judicial notice that the falling of hoarding was not a direct reason for Vignesh's death. However, a few deaths have occurred due to unsafe installation of hoardings in the state.  

The judge held the district administration and Tiruvannamalai municipality accountable and ordered the government to pay Swamiji Rs 25 lakh within a month after concluding that the poor wiring at the medical camp had contributed to the electricity leakage.