In the early hours of August 18, 2025, a festive celebration in Hyderabad’s Ramanthapur neighborhood turned into a scene of tragedy when a chariot procession for Sri Krishna Janmashtami came into deadly contact with overhead electric wires. According to multiple reports, including those from The Economic Times and India Today, six people were killed and four others critically injured after a live current surged through the chariot, electrocuting participants and sending shockwaves through the local community.
The incident unfolded just after midnight, around 12:15 am, as a Shobha Yatra—a religious procession in honor of Lord Krishna—was nearing its conclusion. Eyewitnesses described a festive atmosphere abruptly interrupted by screams and chaos when the chariot touched a dangling cable. According to police cited by Arab Times, the vehicle struck an overhead high-tension wire, which snapped and fell onto the chariot. Several men, who were attempting to push the vehicle at the time, received fatal electric shocks. The victims, identified as Srikrishna (21), Srikanth Reddy (35), Suresh (34), Rudra Vikas (39), Rajendra Reddy (45), and Ganesh, died either on the spot or shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Four others, including the gunman of Union Minister Kishan Reddy, were seriously injured and remain under medical care.
Musharraf Ali Faruqui, Chairman and Managing Director of the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSPDCL), conducted a site inspection soon after the tragedy. He explained, “A TV cable conductor came in contact with the electric lines and was dangling, which touched the Rath procession vehicle. As a result, five people were electrocuted. Two others were critically injured, and it is reported that one of them has also died. I have come here for a site inspection.” He further assured, “This matter will be taken to the notice of the government, and I will discuss it with the Deputy Chief Minister regarding an enquiry and ex-gratia or benefits to the families of the deceased. A detailed enquiry will certainly be conducted, and action will be taken against whoever is responsible for allowing the conductor to come in contact with the wire.”
Authorities have since launched a detailed investigation. Minister Sridhar Babu announced that an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh would be provided to each bereaved family, and the government would cover all medical expenses for those injured. “The incident is extremely unfortunate,” he said, extending his condolences to the families and promising that the mishap would be investigated thoroughly. He noted that the tragedy was made even more distressing by its timing—occurring just 100 meters from the end of the planned procession route.
The power department, led by Musharraf Farooqui, confirmed that the root cause was an internet cable conductor wire coming into contact with an 11 KV power line, which electrified the cable. When the cable touched the chariot, the current surged through the metal structure to the people nearby. As an immediate response, Farooqui ordered the removal of all internet cables in the area and began rectifying hazardous electric wires. He also pledged that similar corrective actions would be implemented citywide ahead of the upcoming Vinayaka and Durga Mata Navarathri celebrations to prevent a recurrence.
The tragedy has not only left families grieving but also sparked outrage among local residents. Demonstrations erupted along Ramanthapur Road, with protestors blaming the electricity department for negligence. They demanded compensation and government jobs for the families of those killed, and their protests caused significant traffic disruptions on the Ramanthapur-Uppal route. Slogans calling for immediate accountability echoed through the area, as residents insisted that the authorities take responsibility for what they see as a preventable disaster.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao was among the first political figures to respond. “I am deeply shocked to learn about the tragic incident that occurred at Gokhale Nagar, Ramanthapur in Hyderabad. It is extremely painful that five lives were lost due to an electric shock during the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations,” he said. Offering his condolences, he added, “The death of Krishna Yadav, Srikanth Reddy, Suresh Yadav, Rudra Vikas, and Rajendra Reddy in this mishap is truly heartbreaking. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I urge the government to provide support and relief to the families of the deceased. I sincerely wish for the speedy recovery of the four people who were seriously injured and are undergoing treatment in the hospital. I also request the government to ensure proper medical care for the injured. Necessary precautions must be taken in the future to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.”
In response to the uproar, city officials have ordered a special drive across Greater Hyderabad to review and address risks posed by hanging cables and electric wires. Instructions for a detailed inquiry under the supervision of the District Collector have been issued, with a promise that strict action will be taken against those found responsible once the investigation concludes.
Meanwhile, the broader context of safety at public events in Telangana has come under scrutiny. Only days before the Janmashtami tragedy, another fatal accident occurred in the state: a travel bus collided with a loaded lorry at the Macharam flyover under the Jadcherla police station in Mahabubnagar district, resulting in four deaths and injuries to ten others. As reported by The Economic Times, authorities acted quickly to provide medical care and launched their own investigation into that incident as well.
Back in Ramanthapur, the community’s grief is compounded by frustration and a sense of vulnerability. The procession, meant to be a joyful celebration of faith and tradition, ended in devastation for several families. The city’s response—both in terms of immediate compensation and longer-term infrastructure reviews—will be closely watched by residents who are demanding not only answers but real change. As Hyderabad prepares for more festivals in the coming months, the hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to safer celebrations and stricter oversight of public safety hazards.
For now, the streets of Ramanthapur bear the scars of a celebration gone terribly wrong, and the city mourns the loss of six lives that should have been part of a night of joy, not sorrow.
