Title - Four years on, Rlys compensate passenger

Abohar:
Shruti, a college student, has finally won the legal fight for justice against railways.After four years of struggle, the railways have paid her Rs 34,248 in compliance with the award passed by the Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Grievances). Shruti had filed a complaint with the court as the railway officials paid no heed to redress her grievance. She submitted that a berth was got reserved in the 13007 Udyan Abha Toofan Mail train on May 30, 2009 in coach number S-4 but she and two elderly female commuters found that their berths were occupied by commuters who had reservation in coach number S-5 but that was not attached to the train at New Delhi. Three of them had to traverse 371 km without any seat. This caused mental agony as well as physical discomfort.The Railways officials summoned by the court failed to prove that she was provided with an alternate seat. The court directed the Railways to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation along with 9 per cent interest from the date of travel.