UNION OF INDIA, THROUGH ITS GENERAL MANAGER, SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY HUBLI Vs. N. CHANNABASAPPA S/O LATE NANJAPPA, C/O RUDRASWAMI, NO. 1319, 1ST CROSS, NEHRU NAGAR, MANDYA KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The complainant/respondent, an Advocate by profession boarded Chamnudi Express at Mandya Railway Station on 9.12.2010, for going from Mandya to Bangalore. The train which was scheduled to Mandya Railway Station at 7.35 a.m. left a little late at about 7.55 a.m. The train allegedly arrived at Bangalore at about 10.25 a.m., after a delay of about 45 minutes. On the way from Mandya to Bangalore, the train had as many as four unscheduled stops. Alleging financial loss and harassment on account of the late arrival of the train at Bangalore, the complainant approached the concerned District Forum by way a consumer complaint seeking compensation from the Indian Railways.

(2.) The complaint was resisted by the petitioners primarily on the ground that since another train being Train No.231 which was scheduled to depart from Mysore Railway Station at 0550 hours left at 0705 hours on account of technical/unavoidable reason. Train No.6215 Mandya Express, on which the complainant travelled from Mandya to Bangalore, was given four unscheduled halts in order to facilitate thousands of daily passengers who were to get down at those stations. As a result, the train arrived somewhat late at Bangalore Railway Station, it having arrived at 1018 hours and not 1025 hours as claimed by the complainant. It was also stated in the reply filed by the petitioners that even before the train left Mandya Railway Station, announcements were made informing the passengers about the unscheduled halts the train was to take.

(3.) The District Forum partly allowed the complaint granting compensation quantified at Rs.15,000.00 along with interest @ 9% p.a.