Electric Fence Death Not Considered Murder, but Criminal Negligence
In a recent decision, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court clarified that a death caused by an electric fence should not be seen as murder but as a result of criminal negligence.
This case involved a farmer named Yogaraj Atmaram Rahangdale, who had set up an electric fence to protect his crops. Unfortunately, a person named Umashankar Savalakhe lost his life when he went to Rahangdale's farm to use the restroom and got electrocuted. This tragic incident occurred in 2010.
Initially, the Sessions Court had found Rahangdale guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced him to ten years in prison on March 28, 2016. However, Rahangdale appealed this decision in the High Court.
After carefully reviewing the case, Justice Urmila Joshi of the High Court modified the ruling. Instead of considering it as culpable homicide, she declared it a case of criminal negligence. Additionally, because the deceased's wife had reached a settlement with Rahangdale while the appeal was ongoing, the court decided that the 15 days Rahangdale had already spent in jail were a sufficient punishment.
In simpler terms, the High Court decided that the farmer's actions were not intentional murder but rather a tragic accident resulting from his negligence. This decision also took into account the agreement between Rahangdale and the deceased's family.
