Kochi: The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to pay ₹45,000 in compensation to a passenger who sustained injuries after falling inside a tour bus.

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A bench, comprising president D B Binu and members V Ramachandran and T N Sreevidya, ruled that KSRTC's failure to address complaints in a timely manner and provide satisfactory redressal constituted a deficiency in service and irresponsible conduct. The commission directed KSRTC to disburse the compensation within 45 days.

The complaint was filed by Chandrika Mohandas, a resident of Edappally in Ernakulam. On October 7, 2023, the complainant and her family were travelling on a KSRTC bus chartered for a Malakkappara tour organised by the Vattekkunnam Residents' Association in Edappally.

During the journey, the complainant's 73-year-old husband was asked to move from his seat on the grounds that other passengers had booked seats from Angamaly. While the bus was in motion, the driver applied sudden brakes, causing the elderly passenger to fall and fracture his left forearm.

The injured passenger was subsequently admitted to St Joseph's Hospital in Manjummel, where he underwent surgery. The complaint stated that medical expenses and surgical treatment incurred a total cost of ₹52,343. Furthermore, the complainant alleged that the bus lacked basic first-aid facilities and accused the crew members of failing to arrange prompt medical assistance following the accident.