Train News: Reserved seat occupied, complaint yields no result; Railways to pay compensation

Indian Railway Compensation: A case has emerged from Kerala where the Palakkad District Consumer Commission acknowledged the Railways' negligence and directed it to pay compensation to a passenger's family.

Indian Railway Compensation: Trains transport lakhs of passengers to their destinations daily. If you travel by train, you know that securing a confirmed ticket can often be difficult; consequently, most people book their tickets months in advance to ensure they get a confirmed seat.

In such a scenario, if you manage to secure a confirmed ticket after much effort but find someone else occupying your seat, you would naturally ask that passenger to vacate it. If they refuse to move, you would likely complain to the onboard railway staff, hoping for a resolution. But what if the Railways fails to resolve the issue even after your complaint? A similar case has surfaced in Kerala, where the Palakkad District Consumer Commission recognized the Railways' negligence and ordered compensation for the affected family.

What is the full story?

A passenger was traveling with his family on a train. Although they held confirmed tickets, several unauthorized passengers entered the coach during the journey and occupied the family's seats. The family lodged a complaint via 'RailMadad' but received no resolution.

How much compensation did the family receive?

Subsequently, the family filed a complaint regarding the ordeal with the Consumer Commission, even presenting photographs as evidence in court. While the Railways claimed that its staff had taken action on the matter, the family maintained that their issue remained unresolved. The Commission ruled that there was a deficiency in service on the part of the Railways and ordered it to pay compensation. The Consumer Commission directed the Railways to pay a total of ₹75,000 in compensation.

What should you do if your confirmed seat is occupied?

• If you have a confirmed ticket but another passenger is occupying your seat, first try to explain the situation to them politely.
• Sometimes, people mistakenly sit in someone else's seat, believing it to be their own.
• Show them your confirmed ticket and ask them to vacate the seat.
• If the passenger refuses to vacate the seat, do not get into an argument or altercation.
• First, inform the TTE (Travelling Ticket Examiner) about the issue.
• If the TTE is not available on the train at that moment, you can lodge a complaint via the railway helpline number 139.
• Alternatively, you can file a complaint using the RailMadad app.
• If the railways do not resolve your issue, you can file a complaint against them in the Consumer Forum.

Keep a few things in mind before filing a complaint:

• If you approach the Consumer Forum, ensure you have your confirmed ticket or a screenshot of the PNR.
• You can also capture photos and videos as evidence.
• After filing the complaint, keep your complaint number safe.
• Additionally, note down the date of travel, coach number, and berth number.
• All these details can serve as evidence when filing the complaint.