BUDHO DEVI AND OTHERS Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is first appeal against the judgment dated 25.11.2008, passed by the Railway Claims Tribunal, Chandigarh Bench, Chandigarh, vide which the claim application filed by the applicants-appellants was dismissed.

(2.) The brief facts are that Satpal Kumar (now deceased) was working as a Sweeper in Municipal Committee, Panipat. On 24.12004, after finishing his duty, Satpal Kumar reached at Railway Station Panipat, at about 5:45 PM to go back to his home at Karnal. He was having a valid monthly season ticket No. 33180344 from Karnal to Panipat, valid from 9.12004 to 8.1.2005, issued by the Railway Authorities, Panipat. He was standing at platform No. 3 at Panipat railway station. There was heavy rush at the platform. It is stated that the platform was slippery at the corner. He accidentally fell down on the main line No. 3. In the meanwhile, Shatabdi Express train coming from Delhi side and going towards Ambala, run over the deceased. He received multiple injuries and died at the spot.

(3.) In the reply, it was stated that as per the railway records, a person was run over by train No. 2013 Shatabdi Express, while he was crossing the railway track. The train was stopped for two minutes due to the said incident though there was no scheduled stoppage of Shatabdi Express at Panipat railway station. The deceased was not a bonafide passenger. It was denied that Satpal Kumar fell down from the platform at railway station.