Nearly two weeks after a 20-year-old ITI student died of electrocution while assisting with electrical installation work in Bicholim, police have registered a criminal case against a lineman and the owner of the house where the incident occurred.

According to Bicholim Police, the complaint was lodged on July 9 by Rajesh Prabhakar Naik, father of the deceased, Akshat Rajesh Naik, a resident of Deulwada, Lamgao, Bicholim.
Police said the incident took place on June 26 between 3 pm and 9.35 pm at a newly constructed first-floor house in Harijanwada, Maulinguem. Akshat, who was pursuing an ITI course in Electrical and wanted to gain practical experience, had allegedly been engaged by Kedar Krishna Mandrekar, a lineman/wireman with the Electricity Department, to assist in electrical installation work.
During testing of the newly installed wiring by temporarily drawing electricity from the ground-floor connection, Akshat allegedly suffered a severe electric shock and collapsed. He was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bicholim, where doctors declared him dead.
The post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was pulmonary and cerebral oedema due to electrocution.
Police said the inquiry revealed that the first floor did not have an authorised electricity connection and that the electrical work was carried out without adequate safety measures. Investigators further alleged that the deceased was engaged to assist in hazardous electrical work despite not being qualified, while the house owner allowed the work to proceed without ensuring proper safety precautions.
Based on the findings of the inquiry, Bicholim Police have booked Kedar Krishna Mandrekar and house owner Sameer Ramnath Maulingkar under Section 106(1) read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for causing death by negligence.
Notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been issued to both accused. Further investigation is being carried out by PSI Viraj Dhauskar of Bicholim Police Station.