Negligence in School Infrastructure Led to Student’s Electrocution | Meghalaya HC Directs ₹6.5 Lakh Compensation and Mandatory Electrical Safety Overhaul at JNV Mawphlang
Isabella Mariam
The High Court of Meghalaya Single Bench of Justice H. S. Thangkhiew has directed the authorities of a residential school to pay a compensation of Rs.6.5 Lakhs to the parents of a Class XI student who died due to electrocution on the school premises. The Court found that the fatal incident was caused by infrastructural deficiencies and lack of supervision, and held the school responsible for failing in its duty to ensure the safety of its students.
In disposing of the writ petition, the Court issued several directions to prevent recurrence of such incidents. It mandated periodic safety audits of electrical systems and called for the engagement of certified electricians to maintain safety protocols. Further, the Court directed that access to high-risk areas within the school must be strictly monitored and proper danger signage must be installed.
While noting that corrective steps were underway and a charge sheet had been filed against three individuals, the Court ordered additional compensation over and above the ex-gratia amount already paid. It concluded the matter with a clear declaration of the school authorities' responsibility in ensuring a safe environment, without establishing criminal negligence on the part of the principal.
The writ petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India by the mother of (L) Nathaniel Sohtun, a 17-year-old Class XI student enrolled at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Mawphlang. The petition arose from a tragic incident on 28.07.2024, when the student died by electrocution on the terrace of Hostel B-2.
According to statements submitted by other students, they had gone to the terrace to bathe due to a shortage of water in the hostel bathrooms. The students used water from the terrace tank, during which (L) Nathaniel Sohtun accidentally came into contact with an electrified water pipeline, resulting in his electrocution.
The petitioners alleged gross negligence on the part of the school authorities, particularly the Principal. It was contended that the Principal failed to respond promptly when the student was electrocuted and that this delay resulted in the student being declared dead upon arrival at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Mawphlang.
The petitioner submitted that there were prior written complaints dated 24.06.2024 regarding water leakage and faulty electrical wiring in the hostel, which had been submitted to the Principal. However, no remedial action was taken.
A Magisterial Inquiry was conducted on 13.08.2024. The report confirmed that the student died due to electrocution. It also pointed to serious infrastructural deficiencies, including a cluttered electrical control room, malfunctioning switches, leakage in the pump starter, and absence of warning signs.
Additionally, a spot inspection was conducted by a Senior Electrical Inspector on 05.09.2024. This inspection confirmed the findings and reported short circuits in control panels and general mismanagement of electrical infrastructure.
The learned counsel for the petitioners also submitted that a memorandum was submitted by parents on 29.09.2024, following which a joint inspection was held on 08.10.2024. Although some steps such as the initiation of the tendering process for repairs were noted, the report failed to mention the cause of death or assign responsibility for the negligence.
The petitioner also stated that an FIR was lodged, but the police report submitted by the Officer in Charge, Mawngap Police Station, revealed that no criminal case had been registered against the Principal. Reliance was placed on the case of Dr. Debajit Das & Anr. vs. Williamson Magor Education Trust & Ors. (2020) 4 Gauhati Law Reports 478 to support the argument of criminal negligence.
The learned Government Advocate representing Respondents No. 1 and 2 submitted that the Magisterial Inquiry found the cause of death to be electrocution and confirmed deficiencies in the electrical infrastructure. The report recommended compensation of Rs.2.5 Lakhs to the parents of the deceased and called for regular testing of internal wiring. It further noted that the terrace was to remain locked by the House Master but was left open.
The learned Senior Counsel representing Respondents No. 4 and 5 submitted that there was no delay in taking the deceased to CHC. He stated that upon being informed at 3.55 PM, the Principal and duty teacher promptly rushed the student to the health center without insisting on any paperwork. The Senior Counsel also stated that no complaints were received about electrical issues in Hostel B-2 prior to the incident.
It was further submitted that steps had been taken to upgrade the school’s electrical system. CPWD inspections were carried out, and estimates were prepared for electrical repairs. The school has ten hostel buildings, and the upgradation was to be carried out in phases.
Respondent No. 3, represented by Mr. J.N. Rynjah, submitted a report detailing the police investigation. The police conducted an inquest and examined the Post Mortem Report, Histo-Pathological Examination (HPE), and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Reports. The investigation culminated in a chargesheet against three JNV employees: Shri. Akhlesh Kumar, Bandonlang Kharmalki, and Shri. Stanborlin Ryntathiang.
A detailed account from the Magisterial Inquiry revealed that several students, including Samuel and Memonbanshan, witnessed the incident. Nathaniel Sohtun was found entangled with the water pipes and unresponsive. Attempts to rescue him resulted in others experiencing electric shocks. Plastic covers and cardboard were eventually used to move him. CPR was administered by students until the arrival of the House Master, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Chowdhury, who then informed the Principal and arranged transportation to the CHC.
It was deposed that a complaint regarding electric current was previously submitted by B-1 Hostel residents. However, no such complaint had been lodged for B-2 Hostel.
A joint inspection by the Deputy Commissioner's office on 08.10.2024 documented several developments:
- The Principal stated that tenders had been invited for panel and cable work, scheduled to commence after 14.10.2024.
- A private electrician was hired for immediate repairs under supervision.
- Plans for installing solar panels and heaters in all hostels were underway.
- Recommendations were made for the appointment of at least two electricians.
The Court observed, "the incident that had occurred is indeed most unfortunate, as the life of a young person has been lost in the most tragic circumstances." It acknowledged the prayer for action against those responsible and for remedial steps to address infrastructural safety.
The Court recorded that a Magisterial Inquiry on 13.08.2024, a spot inspection by the Senior Electrical Inspector on 05.09.2024, and a joint inspection by the Additional Deputy Magistrate on 08.10.2024 had been conducted to ascertain the situation.
"The detailed Magisterial Inquiry Report, shows that as many as 15(fifteen) persons were examined by the Inquiry Officer, which included a joint deposition of 6(six) students." These included the Principal, medical personnel, accused staff, and members of the Parents-Teacher Council.
The Magisterial Inquiry found that, "(L) Nathaniel Sohtun, died due to electrocution and that the electrical infrastructure of the JNV Mawphlang, required urgent revamp and repair works." The report also noted that tenders had been floated and that maintenance contracts were awarded as of 15.10.2024.
The students' statements included in the report described how, "Nathaniel Sohtun was lying on the ground and his body was partly stuck inside the water pipes and partly lying face down on the bare ground." Efforts to rescue him initially failed due to electric shock until insulating materials were used.
It was jointly deposed that CPR was attempted and that the House Master called for transportation immediately.
The timeline indicated that the incident occurred at 3.52 PM and the parents were called at 4.00 PM. The Court observed, "there was no undue delay in shifting the student to the nearest CHC."
The spot inspection on 05.09.2024 confirmed deficiencies such as cluttered control rooms, short circuits, and absence of warning signs. The joint inspection recommended: "Safety Certificate should be issued by the J.E. (Electrical) CPWD for the school to commence."
The Court further noted, "death of the student was caused by electrocution, and that the same can be attributed to the negligence and deficiency on the part of the school authorities." It recorded that leaving the terrace unlocked was a failure in duty by the teacher concerned.
While no criminal negligence was established against the Principal, the Court stated, "serious systemic deficiencies in the school’s infrastructure and supervision... needs urgent attention."
The Court directed, "Safety measures including safety audits of electrical installations, such as wiring etc., to be conducted periodically to ensure effective maintenance and repair."
It also ordered, "Engagement of certified Electricians for putting in place of proper safety protocols for electrical systems."
Further, the Court stated, "Proper monitoring and supervision of access to high risk or hazardous areas in the school such as terraces etc., to prevent future accidents."
Additionally, the judgment included a directive for signage, stating, "Placement of signage indicating warning and danger signs at hazardous places."
On compensation, the Court held, "hereby orders the school authorities to pay further compensation to the parents of (L) Nathaniel Sohtun, of a sum of Rs.6.5 Lakhs, over and above the ex-gratia payment of Rs.1 Lakh, that has already been disbursed by the school." The payment was to be made within eight weeks from the date of the order.
The matter was then closed with the court recording, "In terms of the directions as given above, this writ petition is accordingly closed and disposed of."
Advocates Representing the Parties:
For the Petitioners: Ms. I.M. Lyngdoh, Advocate; Ms. B. Lyngdoh, Advocate
For the Respondents: Mr. K.P. Bhattacharjee, Government Advocate with Ms. S. Shyam, Government Advocate; Mr. J.N. Rynjah, Advocate; Dr. N. Mozika, Deputy Solicitor General of India with Ms. M. Myrchiang, Advocate; Mr. A. Papang, Advocate
Case Title: Smti. Phidapherlin Sohtun & Ors. vs. Deputy Commissioner & Ors.
Neutral Citation: 2025: MLHC:642
Case Number: WP(C) No. 387 of 2024
Bench: Justice H. S. Thangkhiew
