New Delhi: More than two decades after losing her husband in a tragic train accident, widow Saynokta Devi is finally set to receive compensation — thanks to the Supreme Court’s persistent efforts to ensure justice after years of procedural delays.

Devi’s husband, Vijay Singh, had a valid ticket from Bakhtiyarpur to Patna on March 21, 2002, when he accidentally fell from the Bhagalpur–Danapur Intercity Express at the station due to overcrowding and died on the spot. Her long legal battle for compensation was rejected by both the Railway Claims Tribunal and the Patna High Court, which dubiously concluded that the deceased was of “unsound mind.”

In February 2023, a Supreme Court bench led by Justice Surya Kant overturned those findings, calling them “completely absurd,” “imaginary,” and “contrary to the undisputed facts on record.” The court observed that it was implausible for a person of unsound mind to have purchased a valid ticket and attempted to board the train. It directed the Railways to pay Devi ₹4 lakh in compensation with 6% annual interest from the date of her claim.

However, complications following her lawyer’s death prevented her from receiving the court’s order. Meanwhile, the Railways, though willing to comply, were unable to contact Devi due to a wrong address and eventually approached the Supreme Court again, citing difficulties in executing the payment.

Taking note of the unusual situation, the court asked the Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Eastern Railway, Kolkata, to publish a public notice in leading English and Hindi newspapers to trace Devi and inform her of her entitlement. It also instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Nalanda, and the SHO of Bakhtiyarpur to physically verify her whereabouts and report back within four weeks. The Bihar State Legal Services Authority was additionally directed to assist by visiting her last known address and confirming her status.

Earlier this month, Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar informed the court that after extensive inquiries, the Railways and local police discovered that the woman’s village name had been incorrectly recorded, causing earlier communication failures. The authorities have since identified the correct location and successfully traced Devi and her family.

The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N. Kotiswar Singh, directed Railways officials, with local police assistance, to ensure the compensation is deposited in her bank account. It further ordered the local SHO and village panchayat members to verify her identity, record the payment process with supporting documents, and submit a compliance report before the next hearing on November 24.

With inputs from PTI