Tata Power faces ire of Odisha villagers after man commits suicide over 'hefty fine'

Tension prevailed outside the Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) office in Dhenkanal on Monday as several residents of a village staged a protest outside its premises with a dead body by their side.

As per reports, a couple, Gokulananda Raul and his wife Guleri allegedly consumed poison in the Siaria village of Dhenkanal after the discom slapped a fine of Rs. 50,000 on them.

The man passed away on Sunday night following which protestors staged a sit-in outside the TPCODL office in Dhenkanal along with the deceased’s family, demanding justice.

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Sources added, that on 29 November, an enforcement team from TPCODL raided the house of Gokulananda Raul in Khuntakata Sahi in Siaria.

The team reportedly accused the man of illegally connecting power from an electric pole and fined him Rs 50,000. Unable to bear the shock of the hefty fine, the couple allegedly tried to take their lives.

Soudamini Raul, sister of the deceased man, pleaded for a job and compensation for the deceased’s son from the electricity department.

“My brother has left behind an only son who requires a means to survive. I demand the electricity department to hand him a job as well as a compensation of Rs. 50 lakh,” she stated.

On the other hand, officials at the TPCODL claimed that all procedures were done as per the law and further steps would also be taken accordingly.

“Police investigation will reveal the exact cause of the death of the man. Our staff is taking all actions as per the course of the law,” stated Benudhar Das, an executive engineer posted at the office.

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Meanwhile, Gokulananda’s wife remains in a coma while police are carrying out additional investigations.

In an update, TPCODL released a statement saying, “We deeply empathise with the family’s pain and loss during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with them. As the matter is sub judice, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities in their investigation.”