JUDGMENT

S. PUJAHARI, J. : This writ petition has been filed by the petitioners with a prayer to issue a writ of mandamus directing the opposite parties to pay compensation of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lacs) on account of death of one Bhadra Santa in electrocution arising out of the negligence of the opposite parties in maintaining the electric transmission line.

2.Facts relevant for disposal of the writ petition are as under :

On 22.08.1997, deceased-Bhadra Santa had been to village Bhanjaguda to work as a daily labourer. After the day’s work, when he was returning to his village-Jhadabandhaguda in the district of Nabarangpur, on the way, his umbrella came in contact with the live electric transmission line which was hanging low between the two poles because of poor maintenance on the part of the opposite parties, responsible for maintenance of transmission and supply of electricity in that locality, as a result of which the deceased got electrocuted and died at the spot. The aforesaid unnatural death of the deceased is attributable to the negligence of the opposite parties, inasmuch as due to their poor maintenance the poles tilted during the rain and storm and live electric wire ha