( 1 ) IN the instant writ petition, the question arises whether 'electricity' can be treated as a "hazardous substance" as defined in Section 2 (d) of the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (for short 'act of 1991') read with Section 2 (e) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (for short 'act of 1986' ).

( 2 ) CLAIMANT/respondent No. 2 Smt. Sukarti Bai filed an application before the Collector, District Mandla claiming compensation from petitioner M. P. Electricity Board, Jabalpur on account of the death of her husband Kashiram, as the death of her husband took place owing to electrocution while the deceased came in contact with the electric wire.

( 3 ) THE Collector has awarded a compensation of Rs. 25,000/- holding that the electricity is a hazardous substance as per Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

( 4 ) THE petitioner in the instant writ petition avers that M. P. Electricity Board is a body duly constituted under Section 5 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948. The Collector failed to appreciate the legal position properly. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the electricity is not a hazardous substance and the same does not come within th