Shared blanket on train: Consumer Commission fines Indian Railways Rs 25k
New Delhi: The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered Indian Railways to pay ₹25,000 to a commuter who was forced to share a single blanket with an unfamiliar passenger while travelling by train, ruling that the national carrier committed a service deficiency.
A judicial panel featuring commission president Monika Aggarwal Srivastava alongside members Rajender Dhar and Ritu Garodia issued the ruling, granting ₹20,000 as redress for mental distress and inconvenience alongside ₹5,000 to cover legal expenses.
In a judgement delivered on July 29, the commission stated, "The Railways provided one blanket to two completely unrelated passengers in violation of the circular dated 23.09.2009. Thereafter, the Railways imposed a Rs 1,000 penalty on the linen contractor, but failed to inform the complainant about the same or provide compensation to the passenger. Even in the reply filed before this Commission, Railways are silent about this penalty."
The applicant journeyed from Prayagraj to Delhi during October 2022 on a reservation against cancellation (RAC) ticket, an arrangement whereby he shared his sleeping berth with another traveller.
As detailed in the legal filing, the coach attendant distributed merely one blanket, a single pillow, and a pair of bedsheets between the two occupants. The claimant stated that despite asking for individual blankets and pillows, staff informed him that shared RAC berths receive only a single blanket and pillow.
He further maintained that after publicising the grievance online and providing his PNR number to railway officials, he obtained solely a towel, whereas his requests for separate bedding items went unfulfilled.
The passenger subsequently lodged formal grievances and sought details via the Right to Information Act. Dissatisfied with the outcome, he petitioned the consumer forum to demand financial recompense.
Railway representatives contested the action, challenging the territorial competence of the commission and arguing that linen provisions adhered to established guidelines. They additionally contended that extra blankets depend upon stock levels and demand, noting that onboard linen operations are managed by an external vendor.
Nevertheless, the commission highlighted that a 17-year-old Railway Board directive from 2009 entitles RAC ticket holders to receive blankets and bedsheets since bedroll charges are incorporated into ticket prices.
"Moreover, OP has not placed on record any proof that a separate bedroll was provided to the complainant. Hence, we find OP guilty of deficiency in service and direct OP to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for mental harassment and physical inconveniences. We also award a cost of Rs 5,000 to be paid towards litigation expenses," the bench observed.
The panel underscored that both parties acknowledged the claimant shared his accommodation with an unrelated passenger while receiving only one blanket and pillow.
Furthermore, the forum highlighted internal transport documents revealing that a fine of ₹1,000 had been levied against the bedding contractor regarding the failure.
Finding the railways accountable for substandard service, the tribunal instructed that the financial penalties be settled within 60 days, warning that any delay would attract annual interest calculated at 7%.
PTI