NCDRC orders Indian Railways to pay Rs 4.7 lakh for passenger's bag theft due to negligence
New Delhi: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has ordered Indian Railways to compensate a passenger, Dilip Kumar Chaturvedi, with Rs 4.7 lakh for the theft of his luggage during a journey on the Amarkantak Express in May 2017. The theft occurred when Chaturvedi and his family were travelling from Katni to Durg.
The incident took place on May 9, 2017, at around 2:30 AM. Chaturvedi lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the railway police, reporting that his luggage, containing cash and valuables worth approximately Rs 9.3 lakh, was stolen while the train was in motion. Chaturvedi alleged that despite taking reasonable precautions to secure his luggage, the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) failed to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the reserved coach.
Initially, Chaturvedi approached the Durg district consumer commission, which ruled in his favour, directing the South East Central Railway GM, Durg station master, and Bilaspur Government Railway Police (GRP) thana in-charge to pay the claimed amount. However, the railway authorities challenged the district commission’s order in the state commission, which quashed the earlier ruling.
Chaturvedi then filed a revision petition with the NCDRC, arguing that the railway staff, particularly the TTE and police personnel, were negligent, resulting in the theft. He contended that s. 100 of the Railway Act, which exempts the railways from liability for loss or damage to luggage unless it has been officially booked and a receipt issued, did not apply in this case due to the clear negligence of railway officials.
The NCDRC bench, after reviewing the case, dismissed Indian Railways' defence and ruled that the theft occurred due to the negligence of the railway staff. The commission ordered Indian Railways to pay Rs 4.7 lakh to Chaturvedi as compensation for the stolen belongings, along with an additional Rs 20,000 for the mental anguish caused by the incident.
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Kolkata: Aliah University student found dead in hostel
Kolkata (PTI): A student of the state-run Aliah University in New Town near Kolkata was found dead in his hostel room, police said on Tuesday.
The body of Abdul Rahman (24), a resident of Malda, was found hanging from the ceiling in his hostel room around 7 pm on Monday, they said.
Rahman's classmates found the body when they entered his room after getting no response to repeated knocks on the doors. They then informed the police.
Officers of the Techno City police station went to the spot and sent the body to hospital for post-mortem examination, an official said.
An investigation has been started, they said, adding that the exact cause of the death will be known after the post-morterm examination.
