Theft During Rail Trip, No Failure In Service By Railways: Supreme Court 

Theft During Rail Trip, No Failure In Service By Railways: Supreme Court 

The Supreme Court ruled that theft on trains is not an issue with the railways’ level of service and that they cannot be held accountable if a passenger is unable to safeguard his own possessions.

The above observation was made by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah when they overturned a decision by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) ordering the Railways to compensate a merchant Rs 1 lakh.

The businessman filed a grievance with the District Consumer Forum claiming he lost Rs. 1 lakh in cash that he was wearing around his waist in a belt, and he sought compensation from the public transportation giant for his loss.

The bench observed that, “We fail to understand as to how the theft could be said to be in any waya deficiency in service by the Railways. If the passenger is not able toprotect his own belongings, the Railways cannot be held responsible.”

The appeal filed by the railroads against the NCDRC decision ordering him to pay Surender Bhola Rs 1 lakh was heard by the apex court.

On April 27, 2005, Bhola was riding the Kashi Vishwanath Express to New Delhi and had a reserved seat. He had stored it in a fabric belt that was fastened around his waist.