SAROJ Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is preferred by the appellants viz., the wife and two children and the parents of the deceased Sukhbir Singh under Sec. 23 of the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987 ['RCT Act'], seeking setting aside/quashing of the impugned award dtd. 21/9/2020 passed by the learned Presiding Officer, Principal Bench, Delhi ['Tribunal'] in case bearing No. OA(IIU) No. 253/2019, whereby their claim for compensation on account of death of Sukhbir Singh was dismissed.

(2.) Briefly stated, the appellants filed an application under Sec. 16 of the RCT Act stating that Sukbhir Singh was employed in the Indian Army and on 7/2/2018 he was given a 'Movement Order' to travel to Panipat and Jhajjar for collection of stores; and that he purchased a railway ticket and travelled from Delhi Cantt to Rewari; that on 8/2/2018 he purchased another ticket from Rewari to Mahendargarh and boarded train number 74845 at about 7.30 a.m. from Rewari.

(3.) It was claimed that Sukhbir Singh fell down from the train at Mahendergarh Railway Station and died at the spot. It was also averred that deceased had a handbag in which, ATM 'Automatic Teller Machine', driving license, movement order etc. were found lying by Mr. Om Praksh, Trackman near the dead body of the deceased. It was, however, claimed that ticket from Rewari to Mahendergarh and cash were lost during the course of the incident. The respondent/railways in its written statement based on the DRM 'Deputy Regional Manager' Report took a stand that the dead body of the deceased was found after the train No. 74845 had left the Mahendergarh Railway Station on the off-side of the platform and it was implied that he had committed suicide.