4 days ago
Delhi High Court Seeks Railways’ Stand on Pregnant Women’s Berths
The Delhi High Court is examining how pregnant women can get lower berths on trains.
Railway rules already give pregnant women preferential consideration for these berths.
However, the online ticketing system does not appear to let them request one.
A petition says they must visit a railway reservation counter instead.
They may also need a certificate from a registered medical practitioner.
The court said IRCTC works as an agent for the Railways.
It expects the Railways to make sure its policy is followed online.
The court has asked the authorities to respond to the petition.
The Delhi High Court sought the Railways’ response on providing lower berths to pregnant women who book tickets online.
The court said railway policy already gives pregnant women preferential consideration for lower berths.
The bench noted that the IRCTC platform has no mechanism for pregnant women to request the benefit.
A petition said women must instead visit a physical reservation counter with a registered medical practitioner’s certificate.
The court directed the Centre and Railway Board to consider steps ensuring the policy is followed through IRCTC.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the Centre, the Railway Board, IRCTC, and petitioner Anunay Sahay.
- What
- The court sought the Railways’ stand on providing lower berths to pregnant women through online ticketing.
- Where
- Before the Delhi High Court, concerning bookings through the IRCTC platform.
- When
- Wednesday.
- Why
- The petition said the online system prevents pregnant women from requesting the lower-berth benefit.
Key facts
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Bench
- Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
- Petitioner
- Anunay Sahay
- Existing policy
- Pregnant women receive preferential consideration for lower berths.
- Online issue
- The IRCTC platform has no mechanism for requesting the benefit.
- Current alternative
- A pregnant woman must approach a physical reservation counter with a registered medical practitioner’s certificate.
- Authorities involved
- The Centre, Railway Board, and IRCTC.
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
The Delhi High Court bench hearing the public interest litigation
“IRCTC appears to be an agent of the Railways. It becomes the bounden duty of Railways to ensure that its policy is complied with. We expect that all appropriate steps shall be taken by respondents 1 and 2 (Centre and the Railway Board) to ensure that the policy is followed and appropriate directions are issued to respondent no. 3 (IRCTC),”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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