Electrocution at Ariyankuppam funeral leaves one dead, police register case
Puducherry: A 79-year-old woman died after receiving an electric shock while paying respects at the mortal remains of a local man in Kakkaiyan Thoppu near Ariyankuppam on Monday, police said.
According to a complaint lodged by the deceased woman's son, Krishnamurthy (62), his mother Rajathi (79) and another person from the locality placed their hands on the coffin when both suddenly suffered an electric shock and fell to the floor. The coffin contained the body of Palani (49), who had died after health complications and whose body was kept in the coffin with a freezer box so relatives and villagers could pay their respects.
Those present immediately cut off the power supply to the freezer box and alerted others, preventing further people from coming into contact with the coffin. The two injured persons were rushed to the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital for treatment. Doctors at the hospital declared Rajathi dead, while the other person is undergoing treatment, police said.
"They placed their hands on the coffin to pay respects and were suddenly thrown to the floor," the complaint by Krishnamurthy, who reported the incident, states, according to police records.
Police action and initial findings
Puducherry police said an electrical fault in the freezer box — possibly exacerbated by continuous rain over the past few days — is suspected to have caused the electrocution. A case of suspicious death has been registered under Section 194 of the BNSS, the police added. The exact cause of death will be established after receipt of the postmortem report, they said.
- Immediate response: Power to the freezer box was disconnected at the scene and injured persons were taken to hospital.
- Legal step: Police registered a case of suspicious death under Section 194 of the BNSS and initiated an inquiry.
- Forensic step: Postmortem and related medico-legal procedures will determine the precise cause of death.
Context and public-safety implications
The incident highlights risks when electrically powered refrigeration units are used at venues not designed for such appliances, especially during prolonged rain when water ingress can increase the chance of faults. Authorities have not issued a public advisory in connection with this incident yet, and police said they will continue their probe to establish the sequence of events and any negligence.
Investigations will seek to determine whether the freezer box was properly earthed, whether wiring at the site met safety standards, and whether the appliance malfunctioned or developed a short circuit because of rain or other factors. The inquiry could examine maintenance records and speak to those who arranged the freezer at the funeral.
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Deceased | Rajathi, 79, resident of Mudaliarpet |
| Deceased in coffin | Palani, 49 (kept in coffin with freezer box) |
| Complainant | Krishnamurthy, 62 (son of deceased) |
| Hospital | Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital, Puducherry |
| Legal status | Case registered under Section 194 of the BNSS; postmortem pending |
Police did not provide further details about the condition of the other person who was injured. The investigation will also determine whether any charges, including those relating to culpable homicide or negligence, are warranted depending on postmortem and technical findings.
Residents and community organisers who use powered refrigeration for preserving bodies at funerals are likely to face renewed scrutiny over safety precautions after the incident. Appropriate earthing, use of residual-current devices (RCDs) where available, and placing appliances under sheltered, dry conditions are standard precautions experts recommend to reduce risk in such situations.
Officials said they will share further information as the probe progresses and once medical and technical reports are available.
