Honnavar Tragedy: Couple Electrocuted by Fallen Power Line, HESCOM Faces Outrage Over Negligence

Honnavar, October 20: A community is in mourning after a couple was fatally electrocuted on Sunday night in Kasarkod village, Honnavar Taluk. The incident, which residents are calling a direct result of official negligence, has led to a formal police complaint against the Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM).

The deceased have been identified as Santosh Ganapu Gowda, 50, and his wife, Seethu Santosh Gowda, 42. According to reports, a high-tension power line snapped and fell near their home, which is located in front of the Batte Vinayaka Temple. The couple accidentally came into contact with the live wire in their courtyard and died instantly.

The tragic event sparked immediate outrage among local residents and relatives, who gathered at the Honnavar Government Hospital to protest. They blamed HESCOM for the couple’s death, alleging that the department had been warned about the deteriorating condition of the power line three months ago but failed to take any action to repair or replace it. The protesters refused to accept the bodies until officials addressed their demands.

On Monday morning, District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya visited the hospital to speak with the grieving family and protesters. He offered his condolences and assured them that the couple’s two sons would be given employment and that the family would receive financial assistance. He also promised that strict action would be taken against the HESCOM officials responsible for the lapse. Following these assurances, the protest was called off.

A police complaint has been filed against several HESCOM employees, including the lineman, section officer, and assistant executive engineer, citing gross negligence. The complaint further alleges that after the incident, repeated calls to the local HESCOM office went unanswered, deepening the public’s anger over the preventable loss of two lives.