The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has dismissed a revision petition filed by the Railways against an order of the Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum awarding a compensation of Rs. 50,000 to a passenger who had to travel in an unclean third class air-conditioned coach despite booking a seat in a second class A/C compartment.
The Commission also rejected the petition of the railways to condone the delay in filing the revision petition. The National Commission while dismissing the petition noted that the abnormal delay “does not stand properly explained”. The compensation order was passed by the Forum headed by its president A. Rajesh on a complaint filed by Vimal M. Mehta of Kochi. He had booked the ticket for travel to Ahemedabad from Ernakulam on the Ernakulam Okha Express on August 10, 2011 in a second class air conditioned coach. On the day of his travel, the second class air conditioned coach was replaced by a third class air-conditioned one. All the passengers, including the complainant, had a nightmarish journey. Cockroaches and bed bugs were crawling inside the coach. He had to sit on a rickety seat. Nor was there any water in the toilets. The toilets were unclean. The complainant had suffered mental as well as physical pain throughout his journey. In fact, he had to spend 3 hours at the Ahmadabad station for getting refund of the difference in the amount paid for the ticket, he had alleged.
The railways had taken the stand that the third AC coach was attached in the place of second AC compartment which had some mechanical problems. The third AC coach was in good condition.
It was unfortunate that the Railways behaved in such a high handedness manner toward the passengers, the forum had observed.
