Kollam: In a long-overdue move, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has suspended a senior overseer following the tragic electrocution of a young student, Mithun, at a government school in Thevalakkara. The action comes after mounting public pressure and a scathing internal report highlighting gross negligence.
S. Biju, the overseer of the Thevalakkara section, was suspended after an inquiry by the Chief Engineer of the Kollam Electrical Circle identified serious lapses in maintaining electrical infrastructure near the school premises. The report, along with supporting documents, formed the basis of the disciplinary action.
Initially, the KSEB’s Chief Safety Commissioner had submitted a report claiming the electrocution was due to a “system failure” and stated no individual could be held responsible. However, Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty rejected the report, calling it incomplete and unacceptable. He demanded a revised investigation that clearly identifies the officials at fault.
The investigation revealed that a high-voltage overhead line had been left dangerously in place for nine years, even after a shed was constructed directly beneath it—an alarming safety violation that ultimately led to the fatal incident.
The Education Department had already acted swiftly, suspending the headmistress, dissolving the school management, and taking over the institution under government control.
Mithun, a student at the school, was electrocuted after climbing onto the asbestos shed next to his classroom to retrieve a shoe. The shed was situated directly under the live power line, which he accidentally touched, leading to his tragic death.
The incident sparked statewide outrage, with parents and the public demanding strict accountability and improved school safety measures. The suspension of the KSEB official is seen as the first concrete step toward justice in what has been a heartbreaking and avoidable tragedy.
