The Supreme Court ruled that the absence of a train ticket on a deceased passenger does not justify denying compensation under the Railways Act. A woman’s appeal for compensation was initially rejected after her husband died in a train accident in 2015. The Court directed the Railways to pay Rs 8 lakh compensation to the appellant within four weeks.
The Court emphasized that the Railways Act’s liability is based on “no-fault liability” and must be interpreted liberally. It stressed that beneficial legislation should be construed to fulfill its purpose rather than through a strict approach. The case involved the death of a passenger who fell from a moving train, with his ticket missing after the accident.
The Court highlighted that the claimant’s burden can be met through an affidavit and that the absence of a ticket does not negate the passenger’s status. It overturned the previous decisions and instructed the Railways to make the compensation payment promptly. Additionally, the Court suggested the Railways reconsider the terminology “second class passenger” in its manuals.
