Theft In Train Not Deficiency In Service By Railways: Supreme Court
NDTV
The Railways cannot be held responsible if the passenger is not able to protect his own belongings, the court has ruled.
Theft during a train journey is not a deficiency in service by the Railways and the public transporter cannot be held responsible if the passenger is not able to protect his own belongings, the Supreme Court has ruled.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah made the observation while setting aside an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) which had directed the Railways to pay Rs 1 lakh to a businessman.
The businessman had raised a claim before the District Consumer Forum stating he lost Rs 1 lakh cash he was carrying in a belt tied around his waist while travelling by a train, and sought reimbursement from the Railways for his loss.
"We fail to understand as to how the theft could be said to be in any way a deficiency in service by the Railways. If the passenger is not able to protect his own belongings, the Railways cannot be held responsible," the bench said.
