Rail passenger gets Rs 1 lakh compensation for stolen luggage during travel on Malwa Express 6 years ago

Jaya Kumari, a resident of New Delhi, faced a prolonged struggle after her belongings were stolen during a train journey in 2016. Travelling on the Malwa Express from New Delhi to Indore, Kumari discovered her bag missing, containing a laptop, wristwatch, jewellery, and shawls, an IndianExpress report stated. Despite her efforts, she encountered significant obstacles in registering an FIR due to the reluctance of railway authorities.

After an arduous eight-year wait for justice, a Delhi consumer court recently ruled in Kumari's favor, directing the Railways to compensate her with Rs 1.08 lakh. The court held the Railways responsible for "negligence and deficiency in services."

According to the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (Central District), the Railways failed to address Kumari's complaint that an unauthorized person had entered the reserved coach and stolen her belongings. The commission dismissed the Railways' contention that Kumari was negligent in safeguarding her possessions.


In its order dated June 3, the commission stated, "The manner in which the episode has happened and valuables were stolen followed by the efforts of the complainant to get the FIR registered with the authorities for an appropriate enquiry or investigation, she suffered all kinds of inconvenience and harassment to pursue her legal rights."

Highlighting broader concerns about railway security, the court emphasized that the theft could have been prevented if not for the Railways' negligence or deficiency in services.

Activist Chandra Shekhar Gaur, through an RTI inquiry, revealed alarming statistics showing a prevalent issue of theft on Delhi trains. The data from the Railways disclosed an increase in theft cases, rising from 2,831 incidents in 2022 to 3,909 by November 30, 2023. Instances of snatching of personal items also surged from 19 in 2021 to 85 in 2022 and 96 in 2023.

The ruling serves as a significant legal precedent for passengers affected by theft on trains, highlighting the responsibility of railway authorities to ensure passenger safety and address grievances promptly.

This verdict underscores the ongoing challenges faced by passengers concerning security and the responsiveness of railway services, prompting a critical review of safety measures and customer service protocols by the authorities.