THANE: Thane additional district consumer disputes redressal commission has held the railways guilty of deficiency in providing service and directed it to pay Rs 2.5 lakh with 12% interest to an elderly couple robbed of a handbag containing cash, a cellphone and jewellery worth Rs 2.5 lakh while travelling from Mumbai to Bhopal by train in 2018.
The commission referred to a 2004 Supreme Court judgment in Sumatidevi Dhanwatay versus Union of India case, which stated that the railways cannot escape liability for negligence and deficiency in service by failing to prevent unauthorised persons from assaulting passengers in a compartment and stealing their luggage. It said the TTE will prevent unauthorised persons from the coach and remain vigilant at night.
