LUCKNOW, Jan. 16 -- Alleged official negligence has dealt a cruel blow to eight-year-old boy, robbing him of both his hands which had to be amputated after he came in contact with an unfenced, live transformer near his home in Senani Vihar Colony of Lucknow's Bijnor area.

The incident on January 11 has changed his life forever. The boy will never hold a pencil again, nor hit a cricket ball, tie his shoelaces, or wrap his arms around his parents the way he once did.

That evening, the boy was playing near his home. Just a few steps away stood a live transformer, uncovered with exposed wires. On touching the transformer, a powerful electric shock hurled the child to the ground.

By the time his family reached him, the boy was fighting for ...