Boy, 10, and tractor driver electrocuted during Janmashtami procession in UP

A driver and a 10-year-old boy were killed, and another person was seriously injured after a tractor-trolley carrying a Janmashtami procession came in contact with a high-tension power line in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district, officials said on Sunday.The incident took place on Saturday night in the Sheeshgarh police station area when a Janmashtami tableau procession was being taken out in a village, Additional Superintendent of Police (North) Mukesh Chandra Mishra said.A sound system had been mounted on the tractor-trolley, and an iron pipe fixed on it touched a low-hanging high-tension line, causing electricity to pass through the vehicle and triggering a loud blast, he added.Former village head Tirmohan Singh said people riding on the trolley jumped off after it became electrified. He said tractor driver Virendra, 28, sound system operator Bunty and 10-year-old Deep came in contact with the electric current. Deep died on the spot, while Virendra, who suffered severe burn injuries, was taken to Bareilly for treatment, where he died late on Saturday night. Bunty is undergoing treatment and remains in a serious condition, Singh said.Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ram Gopal Sharma said the administration had received information about the incident and a report had been sought from the revenue team. "Efforts will be made to provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased," he said.Villagers alleged that despite prior information about the procession, the electricity department had failed to ensure that the high-tension line was raised.Singh said the line was hanging dangerously low and that this led to the accident, adding that villagers were angry with the electricity department after the incident.Police officials and a health department team reached the spot after receiving information. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination and an investigation is underway, police said.The incident during the Janmashtami procession left two dead, one person seriously injured and prompted an official probe, while villagers raised questions over the low-hanging power line.- Ends(With PTI inputs)Published By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 6, 2026 13:09 IST