Train late, exam lost: Student wins Rs 9.10 lakh from railway

Uttar Pradesh: A student from Basti, Uttar Pradesh, has won Rs 9.10 lakh in compensation after missing her BSc Biotechnology entrance exam due to a delayed train. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled in her favour, ordering the railway to pay within 45 days or face an additional 12% interest, ending a seven-year legal battle over the disruption.

Samruddhi, a resident of Basti in Uttar Pradesh, missed her BSc Biotechnology entrance exam in Lucknow on May 7, 2018, after the Intercity Superfast Express she was travelling on was delayed by nearly two and a half hours.

Samruddhi had prepared for the entrance exam for a full year. The examination was held at Jai Narayan PG College in Lucknow, where candidates were required to report by 12:30 pm. Her train was scheduled to arrive in Lucknow by 11 am, which would have given her enough time to reach the centre.

On the day of travel, the Intercity Superfast Express arrived much later than scheduled, leaving Samruddhi unable to reach the examination centre in time. As a result, she lost the opportunity to appear for the exam.

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Legal battle and court ruling

Following the incident, Samruddhi approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, seeking Rs 20 lakh in compensation. The case continued for seven years.

The commission issued notices to the Ministry of Railways, the Railway General Manager, and the Station Superintendent. According to the order, the railway admitted the delay but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.

The consumer commission ruled that the railway failed to provide timely service and ordered it to pay Rs 9.10 lakh in compensation within 45 days. If the amount is not paid within this period, the railway will be liable to pay an additional 12% interest.