Illegal electric fence kills Malappuram man, brother who tried to save him; farm owner booked

Police in Kerala's Malappuram district have registered a case against a poultry farm owner after two brothers were electrocuted by an allegedly illegal electric fence on Thiruvonam day.

The case was registered by Melattur police on Thursday, a day after the brothers died in the tragic incident at Akkaparamba near Vettathur.

The victims were identified as Sahir Navas, 36, and his younger brother Mohammed Fazil Murshid, 32. They were delivering poultry feed to the farm when they came into contact with the electrified fence.

The brothers had been travelling to the poultry farm in a delivery lorry. As the vehicle took a longer route, they reportedly chose a pedestrian shortcut to reach the farm.

Mohammed Fazil Murshid came into contact with the live wire first. Sahir Navas was electrocuted when he tried to rescue his younger brother.

Both brothers died in the incident.

Fence allegedly installed to keep animals away

According to local officials, the poultry farm had an unauthorised electric fence made using areca palm trunks and iron wires.

The fence was allegedly intended to prevent stray dogs, foxes and wild boars from entering the farm and feeding on poultry waste.

Farm workers reportedly told officials that the fence was usually switched off during the daytime. On Wednesday morning, however, it was allegedly left live accidentally.

The brothers came into contact with the fence while using the shortcut, leading to the fatal electrocution.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has also registered a separate case against the farm owner, identified as Sameer, over the alleged illegal drawal of electricity.

According to the report, electricity for the fence was allegedly diverted from the KSEB supply line and bypassed internally to avoid detection.

Using mains electricity for an electric fence is prohibited. Under Section 135(1)(e) of the Electricity Act, 2003, unauthorised diversion of electricity can attract imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

Safety rules prohibit direct power supply

National electrical safety standards permit animal-control fences only when they use approved low-voltage, battery-operated fence energisers equipped with impulse generators.

Such installations require prior approval from the Electrical Inspectorate. Directly or indirectly diverting electricity from official power lines for fencing is prohibited.

The incident comes amid concerns over unauthorised electric fences in Kerala. According to the report, dozens of people have died in the state after coming into contact with such fences over the past three years.

KSEB has been carrying out inspections to detect illegal electricity use and power theft.

During the 2024 financial year, its Anti-Power Theft Squad detected more than 4,200 cases of misuse and 288 cases of power theft, imposing penalties of over Rs 41 crore, according to the figures cited in the report.

Inspections conducted over two months in 2025 detected another 30 cases of power theft, resulting in penalties of Rs 9.38 crore.

Officials have urged the public to report suspicious or unauthorised electrical wiring to their local KSEB section offices.

Complaints can also be made through KSEB's emergency number, 9496010101, as authorities seek to prevent further accidents involving illegally electrified fences.