Big setback for Indian Railways; woman passenger gets Rs 19,000 for shocking neglect

The South Mumbai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum paid a woman Rs 19,000 after she, along with her relative, fell ill due to dirty train compartment which was infested with rats. The incident took place in 2015 when the woman, a lawyer by profession was travelling by Indian Railways Mumbai-Ernakulam Duronto train.

Sheetal Kanakia, the traveller, said that the Indian Railways was the culprit of not providing the service which she had paid for. She further said that the train was extremely unhygienic with rats running around along with dirty berths and unsafe water supply, according to a report in The Times of India.

She complained to the staff about the condition to which they casually said that the rodents are a common affair on trains and they have done their best to clean the train.

However, Kanakia also lodged a written complaint with the ticket checker regarding the matter but didn't get any acknowledgment. At last, she approached the South Mumbai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.

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According to the report, during the legal battle,  the consumers also proved that they fell ill due to the poor condition of the train and also because of the sub-standard food served in the train. They also had to incur financial and mental damage due to the same.

In order to defend the case, the Indian Railways couldn't provide valid proofs and had to compensate the consumers by paying Rs 19,000.