Woman’s Luggage Stolen on Train, Indian Railways Directed to Compensate Her with Rs 1 Lakh

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Central District) recently heard a complaint about a passenger’s bag being stolen by unauthorized individuals in January 2016 between Jhansi and Gwalior. The complainant stated that the bag contained valuables worth Rs 80,000 and that the incident occurred while traveling in a reserved coach of the Malwa Express.

The complaint emphasized that it was the railways’ responsibility to ensure safe and secure travel and protect passengers’ belongings. The commission, led by its president Inder Jeet Singh and member Rashmi Bansal, asserted its territorial jurisdiction to try the case due to the complainant boarding the train from New Delhi and the continuity of the journey to its arrival in Indore.

Furthermore, the commission pointed out that the office of the opposing party (General Manager, Indian Railway) was within its jurisdiction. Dismissing the railways’ argument that the complainant was negligent about her belongings and that the luggage was not booked, the commission highlighted the complainant’s struggle to register an FIR and pursue legal action.

It noted the inconvenience and harassment the complainant endured in seeking justice. The commission found the Indian Railway negligent and deficient in service for failing to prevent the theft of the complainant’s belongings.

Consequently, it ruled in favor of the complainant, awarding reimbursement of Rs 80,000 for the loss, along with Rs 20,000 as damages for inconvenience, harassment, and mental agony, and Rs 8,000 towards litigation costs.