A 34-year-old labourer, Narayan Yugeshwar Kamat alias Chaudhary, met a tragic end on July 30, 2025, after being electrocuted at a construction site in Govegaon, Thane district, Maharashtra, police reported. The incident, which occurred when Kamat came into contact with a live wire, has led to a case being registered against contractors Manoj Dilip Patil and Murali Yadav under section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence.
According to a police official, Kamat succumbed to the electric shock instantly at the site, highlighting a severe lapse in workplace safety. The victim’s brother, in a formal complaint, alleged that the contractors failed to implement any safety arrangements, leaving workers vulnerable to hazardous conditions. No arrests have been made as the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragedy underscores persistent safety concerns in India’s construction industry, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas like Thane, a key industrial and residential hub near Mumbai. Construction sites often employ migrant laborers who work in precarious conditions, and incidents of electrocution are not uncommon due to exposed wiring, inadequate safety protocols, or lack of personal protective equipment. The absence of safety measures, as alleged in Kamat’s case, points to a broader issue of non-compliance with the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, which mandates employers to ensure worker safety.
Legally, the case against Patil and Yadav could lead to penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced the Indian Penal Code in 2023, if negligence is proven. Section 106(1) addresses death caused by rash or negligent acts, carrying a potential imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both. The police are likely to investigate whether the contractors failed to conduct safety audits, provide insulated tools, or ensure proper electrical installations at the site.
This case adds to growing concerns about workplace safety in Maharashtra, where construction-related fatalities have prompted calls for systemic reforms. The state government may face pressure to enhance inspections and impose stricter penalties to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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