Kabaddi palyer Talwinder Singh had died in a freak accident

Bathinda, October 14
Kabaddi palyer Talwinder Singh had died in a "freak accident" caused by leakage of electric current from a streetlight pole, according to a preliminary inquiry by the Municipal Corporation.

"There was no dereliction of duty or negligence on the part of any of our employees," said municipal commissioner Vipul Ujwal. "It looks like a freak accident," he said.

Talwinder's parents are too shocked to react to their son's death. His coach Harjinder Singh alleged sheer negligence on part of the MC authorities that caused the death.

Talwinder Singh was the only child of his parents, who make a modest living. "The family had pinned its hopes on Talwinder's rising kabaddi career," said Harjinder Singh.

The preliminary investigation refers to checking of streetlights in the city as a part of maintenance works. A day before the incident (October 10), the light point had been checked. The department report did not point to the need for any repair.

The incident took place around 10.30 pm on October 10, when Talwinder, a young kabaddi player from Bhawanigarh, touched the live wire while trying to cross the road. The pole is installed at the divider on a 100-ft road and is frequently used by students.

"The choke was out of order. So, the wires were live. Despite the fact that it is a fenced area, people continue to use it and put their lives in danger," said Ujwal.

Coach Harjinder recalled the sequence leading up to the tragedy. He said the same day another junior class student of Dasmesh School too had received a shock from the same pole. "The school guard told us that the current was leaking from the pole," Harjinder said, adding it would seem the MC authorities did nothing. His statement is also a part of the report that has been given to the municipal commissioner.

Harjinder said as soon as the DSP (detective) Ranjeet Singh was informed about the incident, he reached the hospital and called the SDO of the power department. "The SDO checked the pole and found current running in it. The SDO then said that the pole fell under the MCB. Thereafter, the DSP directed the SDO to disconnect mains connection so that more lives could be saved," he said.

DSP Ranjeet Singh said that police was yet to receive the report from MCB. "We will decide about the FIR lodged in this case only after receiving a copy of the report," he said.

Promising career cut short

On October 10 - the day Talwinder died - his team from Sangrur stood second in the Punjab State School Games in the under-19 circle kabaddi events. The player was staying at Dasmesh School along with his team mates. Following his death, the police has registered a case of death due to negligence under Section 304 (A) against Municipal Corporation officials.