5 days ago
Railways Ordered to Pay Rs 35,000 After Train Delay
A passenger took the Ispat Express from Tatanagar to Sambalpur.
The train arrived 8 hours and 48 minutes late.
The passenger said the delay caused physical, mental and financial problems.
He asked a consumer commission for compensation.
The Railways argued that the commission should not hear the case.
The commission rejected that argument and said the passenger had provided convincing evidence.
It ordered South Eastern Railway to pay Rs 30,000 for the hardship and Rs 5,000 for legal costs.
The ruling says passengers may seek compensation when they can prove serious hardship and poor service.
A passenger’s train reached Sambalpur 528 minutes, or 8 hours 48 minutes, late.
The Seraikella consumer commission ordered South Eastern Railway to pay Rs 30,000 compensation.
The Railways must also pay Rs 5,000 in litigation costs, totaling Rs 35,000.
The commission found the delay caused physical, mental and financial harassment and amounted to deficient service.
Payment is due within 45 days, after which 12% annual interest will apply until the amount is paid.
- Who
- A passenger who booked two sleeper-class tickets; South Eastern Railway was the opposing party.
- What
- The Seraikella District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Rs 35,000 in compensation and litigation costs.
- Where
- The passenger traveled from Tatanagar to Sambalpur, and the order was issued in Seraikella, Jharkhand.
- When
- The journey took place in September 2024; the order was passed on September 2, with the year not specified in the report.
- Why
- The commission found that the 8-hour-48-minute delay caused physical, mental and financial harassment and constituted deficiency in service.
Passenger and Consumer Commission
Railways
Responsibility for the delay
Passenger and Consumer Commission
The passenger said the prolonged delay caused physical, mental and financial hardship. The commission found that the Railways had not shown the delay was caused by circumstances beyond its control.
Railways
The Railways opposed the complaint and argued that the passenger had not provided sufficient evidence of material loss or damage.
Which forum should hear the case
Passenger and Consumer Commission
The commission relied on a Supreme Court ruling and held that consumer forums could examine complaints about deficient railway services.
Railways
The Railways argued that the dispute should be handled under the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987, rather than by a consumer commission.
Compensation claim
Passenger and Consumer Commission
The passenger sought Rs 4.5 lakh, and the commission awarded Rs 30,000 plus Rs 5,000 in litigation costs.
Railways
The Railways challenged the complaint and did not accept that the claimed harm justified consumer-forum relief.
Key facts
- Train
- Ispat Express
- Scheduled journey
- Tatanagar departure at 10:18 am and Sambalpur arrival at 3:50 pm
- Actual delay
- 528 minutes, or 8 hours 48 minutes
- Compensation
- Rs 30,000
- Litigation costs
- Rs 5,000
- Payment deadline
- Within 45 days of the order
- Late-payment interest
- 12% annually from the order date until realisation
Quotes
Seraikella District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Jharkhand consumer commission that issued the compensation order
“Due to late running of train… complainant suffered physical mental and financial harassment”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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