E-Rickshaw Driver Electrocuted in Punjabi Bagh; Charging Station Owner Booked

A 28-year-old man died after suffering an electric shock while charging his e-rickshaw at a charging station in west Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh area on Thursday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Yograj Gautam, a native of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. Police said Gautam was unmarried and was living as a tenant in Paschim Puri with his parents and brother.

According to investigators, Gautam was charging the battery of his e-rickshaw at Pushpa Chamber in LSC Market, Punjabi Bagh, around 3 pm when he came into contact with an electrical source and received a severe electric shock.

Following the incident, a medico-legal case intimation was received at the Punjabi Bagh police station from Balaji Action Hospital in Paschim Vihar around 3 pm. The investigating officer and police personnel reached the hospital, where doctors declared Gautam brought dead upon arrival.

Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the owner of the charging point, identified as Bali Khanna, under sections pertaining to causing death by negligence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Hareshwar Swami stated that the incident was caused due to the negligence of the charging point owner. He noted that Gautam was charging his vehicle's battery when the contact with the electrical source occurred, resulting in the fatal shock.

Authorities stated that Bali Khanna is being questioned regarding the safety measures put in place at the charging facility and the specific materials used at the station. A detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway.