Delhi Railway Station stampede: Ex-Gratia distributed in cash, autopsies conducted overnight
New Delhi: The Indian Railways conducted autopsies of the victims of Saturday’s stampede at three city hospitals overnight and disbursed ex-gratia relief in cash to the bereaved families and injured passengers. According to officials, ₹10 lakh was handed over in cash to the kin of each deceased at the mortuaries, while three seriously injured victims received ₹2.5 lakh each and 12 others were given ₹1 lakh each.
“All the compensation was given in cash to the near relatives of the victims by Northern Railways. The distribution took place from morning till 8 PM,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Railway Board.
As per a Ministry of Railways press release from September 22, 2023, a maximum of ₹50,000 is to be paid in cash as immediate relief, with the remaining amount transferred through bank accounts. However, in this case, the entire compensation was disbursed in cash, an unusual move according to officials.
A retired legal officer, formerly part of a claims commission, noted that compensation is typically released after thorough verification, which usually takes months. “Although not illegal, immediate cash disbursal on such a scale is rare. The funds likely came from the railway department’s contingency budget and may face scrutiny during audits,” he said.
Families of the victims confirmed that a three-member team from the Railways met them at the mortuaries around 4:30 AM, completed identification formalities, and handed over the ex-gratia amount along with the bodies. Security personnel were deployed to escort them home, ensuring the safety of the large cash amounts.
Among the deceased was 19-year-old Baby Kumari from Bihar, who had recently cleared her Class 12 exams and had come to Delhi in search of a job. Her father, Prabhu Sah, received the compensation and was accompanied by an RPF official as he took his daughter's body back to Motihari, Bihar.
Similarly, Neeraj Kumar, a 12-year-old from Vaishali, Bihar, died in the stampede while on his way to the Maha Kumbh with his relatives. His uncle, Amarjeet Paswan, who was also injured, said he was given ₹10 lakh in cash after confirming his nephew’s identity with online documents.
The incident has raised questions over the Railway authorities’ decision to bypass standard protocols for compensation disbursal. However, officials defended the move as an attempt to provide immediate relief to grieving families.
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Caste census will form basis for future policy decision, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that the ongoing caste census would form the basis for future policy decisions, asserting that the exercise was crucial to advancing social justice in the state.
Addressing a gathering at the Siddarameshwara Jayanti celebrations here, he said caste enumeration was being carried out for the first time since 1931 and would be followed by deliberations once the report is submitted.
"At present, a caste census (Jaati Sameekshe) is underway. After the report comes, we will discuss it and take necessary decisions," Siddaramaiah said.
He underlined the government’s commitment to equality, stating, "We are committed to social justice. No one should face injustice. Even if not 100 per cent, we will strive to ensure 99 per cent justice."
Referring to measures aimed at addressing intra-caste disparities, the chief minister said the government had already implemented internal reservation based on revised classifications.
"We have gone beyond the Nagamohan Das report and implemented internal reservation… now it has been revised to 5.25 per cent, 5.25 per cent, and 4.5 per cent. This has been approved by the Cabinet," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the broader objective was to ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, while reiterating that policy interventions would be guided by constitutional principles.
"Our objective is equal share and equal life for all," he said.
He also emphasised the role of education in eliminating inequalities, particularly among marginalised communities, and said empowerment was essential to dismantle entrenched caste hierarchies.
"Only when people gain such empowerment can caste divisions be eradicated. Education is essential for this," he added.
The CM said the government would examine demands raised by various communities and take decisions based on feasibility, while ensuring that benefits reached all sections without discrimination.
