Relatives refuse to take dead body at GMCH

Aurangabad, Jan 9:

A farmer electrocuted at a farm died while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). However, the relatives of the deceased refused to take the dead body on Saturday accusing that he died due to the negligence of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL). Tension prevailed for around four hours and finally the relatives and the villagers took the body after a written assurance from the MSEDCL officers for executing action against the person responsible for the incident.

Deceased, Rustam Manikrao Pathade (52, Adgaon Sarak) was grazing goats in the farm on December 27. However, electricity flowed in the electric wire pole and he touched it accidently. He was electrocuted and was severely injured. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital for which his family incurred the expense of Rs 3 lakh. As they could not afford the further expenses, he was shifted to the GMCH where he died on January 8 evening while undergoing treatment.

The relatives and the villagers refused to take the body of the deceased. Strict police bandobast was deployed at the GMCH and MSEDCL office at Mill Corner. Former assembly speaker and MLA, Haribhau Bagade visited the GMCH and consoled the family members.

Meanwhile, the villagers claimed that a complaint about the repairing of the electric device on the pole was registered but the lineman neglected it. Hence, the lineman and the responsible officers should be suspended. Two persons of the family should give permanent job in the company and financial aid should be provided to the family, the villagers demanded. The MSEDCL sources said that a report of the electricity inspector is awaited in this matter and further action will be taken after it.