{
  "id": 558535,
  "title": "50K compensation for denial of confirmed train seat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/50k-compensation-for-denial-of-confirmed-train-seat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T10:38:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/legal/will/senior-citizen-couple-was-denied-full-access-to-their-reserved-berths-due-to-overcrowding-they-pursued-the-matter-against-indian-railways-in-consumer-commission-and-won-rs-50000-in-damages/articleshow/133150767.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On December 10, 2023, a family of three - Mr. Parthasarathi, his wife Nirmala K.T, and their son Aditya.T.P - booked confirmed tickets for the Kanyakumari-Pune Express to Tirupati. They boarded the train with the expectation of a comfortable journey, but were met with overcrowding and unreserved passengers occupying their reserved seats. The family requested the occupants to vacate their seats, but their requests were ignored. The parents had booked sleeper class tickets through IRCTC for Rs 668 each, while Aditya had reserved an upper berth in S6 coach for Rs 315.\n\nAs the train journey continued, the conditions worsened. The sleeper compartments became overcrowded, with people lying on the floor and under berths. The family tried to contact the ticket examiner and Railway Protection Force personnel for assistance, but no one was available to help them. At 8:12 PM, Aditya filed a complaint through the Railmadad application, and a Railway Protection Force team responded, promising to resolve the issue at Tiruppur or Erode stations. However, no action was taken, and the complaint was closed without resolution.\n\nThe family, being senior citizens, eventually secured the lower berths for sleeping. Seeing their distress, Aditya filed another complaint through Railmadad, requesting timely action. The Railways assured that staff would be available at Jolarpettai Junction, but no measures were taken at that station or later. The overcrowding intensified as the train entered Andhra Pradesh, making it impossible for the family to access bathroom facilities. Passengers started sleeping under Aditya's parents' lower berth, causing them to feel unsafe and uncomfortable.\n\nOn November 30, 2024, the family filed a consumer complaint, alleging difficulties in accessing bathroom facilities and safety concerns due to overcrowding and unreserved passengers. On February 3, 2026, the Palakkad district consumer commission ruled in their favor, ordering the Railways to pay Rs 50,000 compensation, along with Rs 25,000 for litigation costs. The commission gave the Railways 45 days to make the payment, or face additional monthly penalties. The commission's decision was based on photographs provided by the family, which clearly demonstrated the crowded conditions in the coaches.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}