TTE occupied the confirmed seat, misbehaved with the passenger, fine of Rs 53 thousand imposed on Railways

Knews Desk– Not getting his seat in the train despite having a confirmed ticket and being troubled by the behavior of the railway employee caused immense mental trouble for a passenger. Now in this case, Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Kerala has given a strict verdict and has blamed Southern Railway. The Commission has imposed a total fine of Rs 53 thousand on the Railways for occupying the reserved seat of a passenger and mentally harassing him.

This case is related to the train journey between Aluva to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The complaining passenger had booked a confirmed ticket in the Railways to travel with his wife. During the journey, when the husband and wife reached their designated seats, they saw that the train’s ticket checking employee i.e. TTE was already sitting on their seat.

It is alleged that the TTE not only used the reserved seat of the passenger but also kept his personal belongings tied with a chain under the seat. When the passenger asked to vacate his seat, the TTE allegedly asked him to move to another seat and behaved inappropriately with him, showing the influence of his position. The passenger alleged that during this entire incident, he and his wife had to face mental distress and humiliation in front of other passengers. After this he filed a complaint against the Railways in the Consumer Commission regarding lack of service and inappropriate behavior.

Railway’s argument could not hold in the court

During the hearing of the case, Southern Railways, while presenting its stand, said that the husband and wife were allotted separate berths and the TTE had tried to help them travel together. It was also argued on behalf of the Railways that the TTE was using the seat for some time for the convenience of the passengers while on duty.

However, the Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission did not accept these arguments of the Railways. Commission Chairman D.B. Binu, members Ramachandran V and Srividya T.N. The bench said that occupation of a confirmed seat purchased by a passenger by a railway employee amounts to serious negligence in service. The evidence and photographs presented during the hearing made it clear that TTE’s personal belongings were kept on the seat. The Commission held that the responsibility of railway employees is to protect the rights and dignity of passengers and not to use their reserved seats for their own convenience.

Railways will have to pay compensation and ticket amount

The Consumer Commission has ordered Southern Railway to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation and Rs 3,000 as litigation expenses to the victim passenger. Apart from this, instructions have also been given to refund the full amount of the passenger’s ticket. The Commission has asked the Railways to make this payment within 45 days of receiving the copy of the order. If the Railways does not pay the amount within the stipulated time limit, it will have to be paid with 6 percent annual interest.

This decision is being considered important from the point of view of the rights of railway passengers. The Consumer Commission clarified that a confirmed ticket not only gives the right to travel, but also gives the passenger the right to travel respectfully on his reserved seat. After the case, questions have also been raised regarding the behavior of railway employees and resolution of passengers’ complaints. Experts believe that this decision is an important message to increase accountability in the railway system and protect the rights of passengers.