In a tragic incident on the occasion of Diwali, a father and son lost their lives due to electrocution in the Khwaspur area of Araria district, Bihar. The incident took place on the afternoon of Monday, 20th October 2025, on the Khwaspur-Farbisganj road near the Kariya Bridge. The victims, 47-year-old Vidyanand Malik and his 14-year-old son Sagar Malik, were electrocuted after coming into contact with live electrical wires submerged in water. Both father and son died on the spot due to the electric shock.
The Incident: An Unfortunate Turn of Events
According to reports, the electrical wire had been lying in the water near Kariya Bridge for a long time. Vidyanand Malik had entered the water to catch a pig when he was suddenly struck by the electric current. Upon seeing his father writhing in pain, his son, Sagar Malik, rushed into the water to try to save him. Unfortunately, Sagar also fell victim to the electric current and died alongside his father.
Immediate Reaction and Public Outrage
As news of the incident spread, panic swept through the local community. Furious villagers, deeply disturbed by the tragedy, took to the streets. They blocked the Khwaspur-Farbisganj main road and staged a protest against the electricity department. The villagers expressed their anger over the department’s negligence, claiming that the department had failed to remove the fallen wires despite repeated complaints. This, they argued, had led to the tragic deaths of the father and son.
Police and Administrative Response to the Situation
Upon receiving information about the incident, police and administrative officers quickly reached the scene. After engaging in discussions with the protesters, they managed to clear the roadblock. BJP OBC leader, Dilip Patel, also raised his voice for the victim’s family, demanding that they be compensated for their loss.
Station House Officer (SHO) Raghvendra Kumar Singh confirmed that both Vidyanand and Sagar Malik had died after coming into contact with the electric current. Their bodies were seized and sent for post-mortem examination. On the other hand, SDO (Sub-Divisional Officer) Komal Kumari from the electricity department stated that initial investigations did not confirm the presence of an electric current in the water. She further mentioned that the situation would become clear once the post-mortem report was received.
The Grief of the Victim’s Family
The Malik family, already struggling with poverty, is now facing immense grief after the loss of two of its earning members. This heartbreaking tragedy has left the family devastated. The local administration has promised to provide compensation to the victims’ family. Additionally, they assured that safety measures would be put in place to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The Incident Amid Election Preparations
This unfortunate accident occurred at a time when the preparations for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections are in full swing. Political parties are actively engaging with voters across various districts, while the administration is on high alert, focusing on security and emergency preparedness. This incident has raised concerns about the accountability of the local administration, especially in the context of citizens’ safety during the election season.
The Role of the Electricity Department in Preventing Accidents
The incident has highlighted the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring of public infrastructure, especially electrical installations. The villagers’ frustration over the inaction of the electricity department in removing the fallen wire has brought the department’s negligence into the spotlight. Public safety and prompt action in dealing with electrical hazards should be a priority to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The protest against the department’s neglect underscores the need for timely responses and effective management of public services, particularly when they directly impact people’s lives.
Political and Administrative Accountability in Bihar
As the election season approaches, this tragic incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for administrative responsibility and vigilance. The safety of citizens should be a paramount concern, especially in areas where elections and political activities are taking place. The local administration and political leaders must take note of the safety concerns raised by the public and address them with urgency. The incident not only highlights the gap in public safety measures but also calls into question the responsiveness of the authorities when it comes to addressing potential hazards in local communities.
Public Sentiment and Future Measures
The incident in Araria has caused deep distress among the local community, and the reaction of the villagers points to the broader issue of public safety in Bihar. As the authorities begin to investigate the matter and address the concerns of the villagers, it is crucial that preventive measures are implemented across the state to avoid similar accidents in the future. This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for the government and relevant departments to ensure that electrical infrastructure is regularly maintained and monitored for public safety.
The local administration has vowed to take steps to compensate the grieving family and improve safety protocols. However, the real challenge lies in ensuring that such accidents do not occur again. Adequate measures should be put in place to safeguard the lives of residents, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where such hazards often go unnoticed.
In conclusion, the tragic deaths of Vidyanand and Sagar Malik in Araria’s Khwaspur area due to electrocution serve as a stark reminder of the importance of public safety measures. The incident highlights the failures of the electricity department in maintaining infrastructure, which led to a preventable loss of lives. The response of the local administration and political leaders will be crucial in addressing the concerns of the affected community. Moving forward, it is imperative that timely action is taken to prevent such accidents and that the authorities ensure the safety of citizens during election preparations and beyond.
This incident also raises important questions about the accountability of public services in Bihar and their ability to protect citizens from such hazards. As the state prepares for elections, this tragedy serves as a reminder that citizens’ well-being must always be prioritized.
