Eviction of woman passenger in Kerala: SHRC orders railways to pay ₹2 lakh compensation

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered the Indian Railways to pay ₹2 lakh compensation to Ms. K. Jaya Smitha, a woman passenger who was evicted from a train in the middle of the night in Kerala despite having a reservation ticket. The commission gave the Railways one month to settle the payment. Ms. Smitha was booked on train number 16348 from Wadakkanchery to Thiruvananthapuram on July 30, 2023, but found her berth occupied.

When she approached the Ticket Collector (TTE), she was informed that her ticket had been canceled, and she would have to pay a fine of ₹500 to be allotted another berth. However, Ms. Smitha, who did not have ₹500 in cash, argued that the ticket could not be canceled online as it had been booked manually at the Thiruvananthapuram railway station.

When she asked for the details of the person who canceled her ticket, the TTE did not provide them, and warned her that if she did not pay the penalty, she would face consequences. Her pleas to continue her journey were rejected, and she was removed by RPF personnel who recorded her arrest and released her on bail. Upon complaint, the Railways realized the error as the mobile number used for the booking was incorrect.

The TTE's actions were deemed a violation of Section 139 of the Railways Act, which protects women passengers during night travel. The commission directed the Railways to issue a circular to TTEs and other officials to adhere to the provisions of Sections 137 and 139 of the Railways Act, emphasizing strict enforcement of women passengers' rights.