Man files case to end railway's 6 am-10 pm sleeping rule after unwell wife denied extra sleep; HC makes important observation for middle and upper berth passengers

Passengers travelling in reserved train coaches cannot use their sleeping berths beyond the prescribed hours of 10 pm to 6 am, the Madras High Court has ruled, refusing to strike down the Indian Railways' restriction after a Chennai resident challenged the rule. The court held that the time limit is reasonable as it balances the convenience of passengers sharing three-tier coaches, allowing those with middle and upper berths to use the seating space during the day, according to a TOI report.

A first bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan said the restriction was introduced to ensure that all passengers holding valid tickets could travel comfortably without inconveniencing others.

The court also noted that exceptions were provided for sick passengers, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, who may be allowed to sleep beyond the prescribed hours. It asked co-passengers to cooperate in such cases.


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Why the passenger challenged the Railways' sleeping rule

The court was hearing an appeal filed by B Balasubramanian, a Chennai resident and frequent train traveller, who challenged paragraphs 652(a) and 652(d) of the Indian Railway Commercial Manual, Volume I. The provisions were introduced through a commercial circular dated August 17, 2017, and prescribe sleeping hours in reserved coaches.

Balasubramanian told the court that he had travelled with his unwell wife, who was not allowed to continue using her sleeping berth beyond the designated hours despite her illness.

He argued that the safeguards provided under paragraph 652(d) were ineffective because his requests to fellow passengers had not been accepted. He therefore sought to have the restriction declared unconstitutional.

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Court says 10 pm to 6 am restriction balances passengers' convenience

Rejecting the challenge, the bench observed that the rule was intended to balance the needs of passengers in three-tier coaches. While passengers occupying lower berths may use them for sitting during the day, those assigned middle and upper berths need access to seating space when the designated sleeping hours are over.

The court said the restriction ensured that all passengers with valid tickets could use the available space comfortably and that the arrangement served the broader public interest.

It further observed that one instance in which co-passengers refused to extend sleeping hours for the appellant's unwell wife was not sufficient grounds to invalidate a rule applicable to passengers generally.

The bench accordingly disposed of the appeal without striking down the Railways' sleeping-hour restriction.