Ratlam Muharram tragedy: 3 killed as Tazia hits high-tension wire in MP
Synopsis
A Muharram procession in Ratlam's Hatnara village turned fatal when a Tazia struck an overhead high-tension wire, killing three people and critically injuring five others. Eyewitnesses allege the power line was hanging dangerously low and that no electricity department personnel were present — raising sharp questions about safety oversight during religious processions.
Key Takeaways
Three people — Rashid Khan , Saddu Hussain , and Arbaz Khan — were killed after a Tazia hit a high-tension wire in Hatnara village , Ratlam , on Thursday night, 26 June .
At least seven others were injured, with five reported in critical condition at Ratlam Medical College .
Around 200 people were participating in the Muharram procession when the incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses alleged the power line was at a dangerously low height and no electricity department staff were present.
ASP Rakesh Pandro confirmed an investigation is underway, examining possible negligence over power line height and safety measures.
Three people died and at least seven others were injured after a Tazia came into contact with a high-tension power line during a Muharram procession in Hatnara village, Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, police confirmed on Friday, 26 June. The incident, which occurred late Thursday night, triggered panic among the roughly 200 participants who had gathered for the religious procession.
How the Incident Unfolded
The procession was passing through Hatnara village, under the jurisdiction of Piploda police station, when the tall Tazia structure reportedly struck an overhead high-tension electricity line. Multiple participants received electric shocks and burn injuries on contact, according to police. A video of the chaos that followed surfaced on social media, showing bystanders rushing to help the injured and shift them to hospitals.
The Deceased and the Injured
The three people who lost their lives have been identified as Rashid Khan, Saddu Hussain, and Arbaz Khan. Police noted that the family of one of the deceased removed the body before hospital formalities were completed, and the administration is verifying all details related to the casualties. Of the seven injured, at least five are reported to be in critical condition and have been admitted to Ratlam Medical College and nearby hospitals, where a team of doctors is monitoring their condition.
What Authorities Said
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rakesh Pandro said police and administrative officials reached the site immediately after being informed of the incident. 'During the Tazia procession, the structure came into contact with a high-tension power line, causing several people to suffer electric shocks and burn injuries. An investigation has been initiated, and all aspects, including whether there was any negligence regarding the height of the power line or safety measures, are being examined,' ASP Pandro said.
Eyewitness Allegations and Safety Concerns
Eyewitnesses alleged that the overhead power line was hanging at an unusually low height, and claimed that no personnel from the electricity department were present at the site during the procession. These allegations are part of what investigators are now examining. Notably, similar tragedies involving processions and overhead power lines have been reported across India in previous years, raising recurring questions about route clearance protocols and inter-departmental coordination during religious events.
Investigation and Next Steps
Police have stated that the precise cause of the accident will be established once the investigation concludes, and further action will follow based on the findings. The administration is also verifying all casualty details. With five victims still in critical condition, the death toll could rise in the coming hours.
Point of View
Religious processions regularly pass beneath overhead power infrastructure with little to no coordination between local administrations and electricity departments. The allegation that no power department personnel were deployed along the route, if confirmed, would point to a preventable institutional lapse. Investigators must determine not just whether the wire was too low, but why no safety audit of the route was conducted before 200 people walked beneath it.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the Muharram procession in Ratlam?
A Tazia being carried through Hatnara village in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, struck an overhead high-tension power line late Thursday night, electrocuting multiple participants. Three people died and at least seven others were injured, with five in critical condition.
Who were the victims of the Ratlam electrocution incident?
The three deceased have been identified as Rashid Khan, Saddu Hussain, and Arbaz Khan. Seven others were injured and are receiving treatment at Ratlam Medical College and nearby hospitals.
What is the current condition of the injured?
Five of the seven injured are reported to be in critical condition and are being monitored by a team of doctors at Ratlam Medical College. The administration is continuing to verify all casualty details.
What do eyewitnesses say caused the accident?
Eyewitnesses alleged that the overhead power line was hanging at a dangerously low height and that no electricity department personnel were present at the site during the procession. These claims are being examined as part of the ongoing police investigation.
Is there an investigation underway?
Yes. Additional Superintendent of Police Rakesh Pandro confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause, including whether there was negligence regarding the height of the power line or lapses in safety measures. Further action will be taken based on the findings.
