Family alleges civic negligence after 40-year-old dies from electrocution in Ahmedabad

A 40-year-old man allegedly died after suffering an electric shock from a power pole near an Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Smart School in the city's Ambawadi area, with his family accusing civic authorities of negligence over an exposed electrical distribution panel.

The incident has renewed concerns over electrical safety during the monsoon, particularly after similar electrocution deaths were reported in Ahmedabad last year.

Family alleges electrocution from exposed power panel

According to the family, the incident occurred between 9 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday near Yamunanagar Apartments in Ambawadi while it was raining.

The deceased, identified as Girishbhai (40), was returning home from work when he allegedly collapsed near an electricity pole opposite the AMC Smart School.

Locals alleged that rainwater had entered an exposed electrical distribution panel (DP), causing current to flow through the nearby pole.

Residents immediately alerted emergency services and shifted Girishbhai to Sola Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Concerned citizens also lodged a complaint with the civic authorities, fearing that others could fall victim to the same hazard.

'Our only earning member is gone'

The victim's mother, Raajiben, alleged that negligence by civic authorities had cost her family its sole breadwinner.

"My son was returning home from work when he came into contact with the electrified pole outside the municipal school. I cannot walk because of a medical condition, and my younger son is chronically ill. We live in a rented house. He was the only earning member of our family. We do not know how we will survive now," she said.

Officials unaware of death

When contacted, streetlight department officials said they had received a complaint regarding an electric current at the location but were unaware that a person had died.

According to the family, senior officials had not been informed about the alleged fatality by subordinate staff at the time of the inquiry.

Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the exact cause of death. It remains unclear whether a post-mortem examination or electrical inspection has established that electrocution was the cause.

Similar incidents during previous monsoon

The incident has drawn attention because Ahmedabad witnessed several fatal electrocution cases during last year's monsoon.

In September 2025, a couple died in Narol after an allegedly live streetlight wire electrified rainwater on a flooded road near Mutton Gali. Police subsequently registered a case against AMC officials and contractors.

In June 2025, a labourer was electrocuted after reportedly coming into contact with an electricity pole while walking along Ghee Kanta Road during heavy rain.