Torpa, July 21: Two Class 12 students lost their lives after being electrocuted while assisting in moving a Lord Jagannath Rath during a religious procession in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, prompting police to launch an investigation into the incident.
According to preliminary information, the victims, aged 17 and 18, had left their school campus during the lunch break and joined local residents in trying to free and straighten a chariot that had become stuck on the route.
During the operation, the chariot’s elevated flagpole reportedly touched an overhead power line, causing electricity to pass through the structure.
The sudden electric current injured several people present at the scene, with the two students sustaining fatal injuries.
The victims were rushed to Khunti Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Other injured individuals are undergoing treatment, and their condition is being monitored.Police registered an Unnatural Death (UD) case following a complaint from a family member of one of the deceased students.
Officials have begun investigating the sequence of events, including the safety arrangements at the procession site and whether any negligence contributed to the accident.
The tragic incident has sparked grief across the local community and renewed calls for stricter safety measures during religious processions, particularly in areas with overhead electricity lines.
Authorities are expected to submit a detailed report after completing the investigation.
