A case of electrocution claimed the lives of a couple in Saptari’s Rupani Rural Municipality–2 early Saturday morning, leaving their two children orphaned.

According to locals, 42-year-old Baleshwar Khanga, popularly known as Kaila, was charging his e-rickshaw at around 4 am when he was electrocuted and collapsed at the spot.

His 38-year-old wife, Ramkumari Khanga, went out in search of him after he did not return for a while. Upon finding him unconscious, she rushed to his aid but was also electrocuted in the process.

Their 24-year-old niece, Pramilakumari, who attempted to rescue the couple, was also injured and sustained a head injury from the electric shock, neighbour Rajendra Kumar Mandal said.

“By the time the power was cut, both had already died,” Mandal said. “They had no property to their name. Their only source of income was the e-rickshaw. With their passing, their two children are now left with no one to look after them.”

Rupani Rural Municipality Chairperson Dinesh Kumar Yadav, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, said the bodies were sent to Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Rajbiraj for post-mortem.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss,” said Yadav. “The rural municipality will provide all possible support—both institutionally and personally.”