A 60-year-old farmer died after coming into contact with a fallen electric wire while heading to his agricultural land in Sira taluk
A farmer died after touching a fallen live electric wire in Honnenahalli village of Sira taluk, Tumakuru district. Villagers have alleged negligence in maintaining power lines and demanded immediate safety measures.
Tumakuru: A 60-year-old farmer died after coming into contact with a fallen electric wire in Honnenahalli village of Gowdagere Hobli in Sira taluk.
The deceased has been identified as Rangashamanna, 60. According to preliminary information, he was travelling to his agricultural land to carry out routine farm activities when he encountered an electric wire that had snapped and fallen to the ground.
Rangashamanna reportedly came into contact with the wire without noticing the danger and suffered an electric shock. He died at the spot.
Villagers have alleged that the incident occurred due to negligence in the maintenance of the electricity lines. They have demanded immediate action to inspect and maintain power infrastructure in the area and prevent similar accidents.
Following information about the incident, personnel from the Sira Rural Police visited the location and conducted an inspection. Further details regarding the circumstances leading to the wire falling are awaited.
Sira Electrocution Incident Raises Power Line Safety Concerns
The incident has once again highlighted safety concerns surrounding exposed or fallen electrical wires, particularly in rural areas where farmers regularly travel through agricultural fields.
Recent court proceedings in Karnataka have also addressed liability in electrocution cases. In August 2026, the Supreme Court held that electricity transmission and distribution entities can face strict liability in electrocution cases, while clarifying that the applicable principle is not absolute liability. The Court also noted that factual disputes can affect how compensation claims are pursued.
The Karnataka High Court has separately held electricity authorities accountable in a case involving a mother and her nine-month-old child who died after coming into contact with a live wire lying on a public street.
In another recent Karnataka High Court ruling, the court held HESCOM liable to compensate the parents of a child who died after coming into contact with a live high-voltage electrical installation, applying the principle of strict liability.
The circumstances surrounding Rangashamanna's death and any responsibility for the fallen wire are subject to the findings of the authorities.
