PRAYAGRAJ, Uttar Pradesh – A junior engineer, suspended from his position, escalated his protest by climbing a nearly 40-foot mobile tower on Thursday. The engineer, Abhay Kumar, is demanding the revocation of his suspension and an impartial investigation into a fatal accident involving a lineman, which he claims led to his unjust disciplinary action. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding workplace safety and accountability within the state’s electricity department.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the suspension stems from an incident related to the malfunction of the 11KV Chhibaiya feeder. According to a vice president of the Rajya Vidyut Parishad Junior Engineer Sangathan, Shailendra Sharma, the feeder had experienced a fault late at night. Junior Engineer Abhay Kumar reportedly worked for several hours to rectify the issue. Upon returning home, he was informed that the feeder had tripped again and was instructed to guide linemen in restoring it.
However, a subsequent development led to a tragic outcome. A lineman, who was part of the restoration effort, called a cousin who was not an employee of the department to assist. This individual, without Kumar’s knowledge or departmental authorization, reportedly suffered an accident while working on a pole and later died during treatment. Kumar contends that his suspension is a consequence of this event, implemented without a proper inquiry, and alleges that departmental rules regarding suspension and subsequent procedures have not been followed.
The protest, which saw Kumar ascend the mobile tower, drew attention to his claims of unfair action. He asserted that his suspension was directly linked to the fatal accident and that the subsequent actions taken against him were without due process. He is advocating for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the lineman’s death, suggesting that a broader inquiry into the operational procedures and safety protocols of the electricity department is necessary.
Reports from earlier in the year detailed similar tragic incidents within the state’s power sector, underscoring a persistent pattern of safety lapses and alleged negligence. In February 2026, a contract lineman named Parshuram Rawat died in Lucknow after being electrocuted while working on a live 33 kV power line without a safety belt. This incident led to the suspension of four power officials, including an executive engineer, a sub-divisional officer, and a junior engineer. Preliminary findings in that case indicated that a contract worker was allegedly made to repair a line that was the responsibility of technical staff, and that the work was carried out without adequate protective equipment.
Another incident in March 2026, also in Lucknow, saw a lineman electrocuted while working on a live wire. This event prompted the suspension of four officials, including an executive engineer, for allowing the lineman to work without safety gear. These cases highlight a recurring issue of safety norms being ignored, leading to severe consequences for field workers. Investigations into such incidents often reveal lapses in oversight, inadequate safety measures, and a lack of accountability for those in charge of ensuring worker safety.
The case of Abhay Kumar’s suspension and subsequent protest brings to the forefront questions about the procedures followed in disciplinary actions against engineers and the department’s handling of fatal accidents. His demand for an inquiry suggests a belief that the root causes of such incidents, including potential systemic failures or negligence by higher authorities, are not being adequately addressed. The act of climbing the tower serves as a dramatic appeal for his claims to be heard and investigated impartially.
The Uttar Pradesh electricity department has faced scrutiny in the past for its handling of safety protocols and disciplinary actions. In May 2022, a junior engineer in Lucknow was suspended for allegedly accepting a bribe to cover up electricity theft. This incident, like the recent fatal accidents, pointed towards issues of corruption and accountability within the department.
Kumar’s protest is a stark reminder of the pressures and perils faced by individuals working within the state’s essential services sector. His plea for a probe into the fatal accident and his own suspension is expected to bring renewed attention to the safety conditions and administrative practices of the Uttar Pradesh electricity department. The outcome of his protest and any subsequent investigations will likely have implications for the department’s ongoing efforts to improve safety standards and ensure fair disciplinary procedures.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
