Indian Railways Ordered to Pay ₹1.45 Lakh Compensation Over Bag Theft in Unreserved Coach

The Delhi State Consumer Commission has directed Indian Railways to pay ₹1.45 lakh in compensation and related dues to a passenger whose bag was stolen from an unreserved train coach. The commission rejected the railway authorities’ argument that the theft occurred from the passenger’s personal custody and held that ensuring passenger safety was also the railway’s responsibility.

According to the commission, the key issue was how two unidentified individuals managed to enter the unreserved coach and steal the passenger’s trolley bag. It observed that the incident pointed to a failure on the part of railway officials to ensure adequate security.

The bag reportedly contained valuables, including sarees, jewellery and clothes. The passenger, Ajay Kumar, claimed that the items were worth ₹1.20 lakh.

How Did the Bag Theft Occur?

The incident took place on June 7, 2014, when Ajay Kumar was travelling from Delhi to Patna on the Mahananda Express. At Old Delhi Railway Station, two unidentified persons allegedly entered the coach, took his trolley bag and fled.

Ajay immediately informed the train’s Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) about the theft. On September 7, 2014, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) reportedly acknowledged the theft. However, the investigation did not lead to the recovery of the stolen belongings.

On January 22, 2015, the RPF stated that it had informed Ajay about the case through a mobile phone number. Ajay disputed the claim, saying the number mentioned in the records did not belong to him. An FIR was subsequently registered on April 23, 2015. On May 15, 2015, the RPF kept the case unresolved.

Consumer Commission Rejects Railway’s Argument

Northern Railway argued that the bag had been stolen from the passenger’s personal custody and that the railway authorities had not been informed in advance about the baggage.

The State Consumer Commission rejected this defence, emphasising that preventing unauthorised persons from entering coaches and ensuring passenger safety were responsibilities of the railway authorities.

Earlier, the District Consumer Commission had directed the railway to refund ₹1.20 lakh with annual interest of 9% from September 7, 2017, along with ₹25,000 as compensation. Northern Railway challenged that order before the Delhi State Consumer Commission.

The case highlights the responsibility of railway authorities to maintain security and protect passengers and their belongings during train journeys.