Railways fail to attach coach, commission orders 15k compensation:4 senior citizens forced to sit near toilet despite having confirmed reservations

A case of alleged railway negligence has come to light where passengers were issued confirmed tickets with assigned seats, but the designated coach was not attached to the train. The incident dates back one and a half years. On November 30, 2024, 4 senior citizens travelling from Nagpur to Bhopal were forced to sit near the toilet in a general compartment despite having confirmed reservations. When they complained, railway staff reportedly told them to travel in the general coach if they wished to continue the journey. When the matter reached the consumer commission, the Railways claimed the coach had been attached but failed to provide concrete evidence. The Bhopal Consumer Commission ruled in favour of the passengers, terming it a clear deficiency in service. The complainant narrated his own ordeal In the case, complainant Manglesh Kumar Joshi stated that he had booked 4 seats in DL-1 coach of Amritsar Express (22125) on November 30, 2024, for himself, his wife and family members, but after the train arrived at Nagpur station, the coach was not found. When he inquired with officials and staff, he was told that there is no guarantee whether the coach is attached or not, and if he wants to travel, he will have to sit in the general compartment. Out of compulsion, passengers had to board the crowded general coach, where, due to the unavailability of seats, they had to travel sitting near the toilet. Due to cold weather and asthma, he faced health problems. DL-1 was showing on the coach position display, but there was another coach in its place. Complained online, but no hearing was done According to Manglesh, he filed an online complaint during the journey, but the railway only provided seat number information, without clearly mentioning the coach. Throughout the journey, no help was received from the TTE or staff. Railway says, ‘Coach was attached, but provided no proof’ During the hearing, the railway stated that the DL-1 coach was attached to the Amritsar Express (22125) on November 30, 2024, and the passenger was allotted seat numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. The railway claimed that seat information was provided via SMS, and there was no deficiency in service. The commission found that the railway’s message contained only seat numbers; the coach number was not clear. The railway could not present any concrete evidence to prove that the DL-1 coach was attached to the train on that day. Lawyer said that Railway’s claim could not stand Complainant’s advocate Sandeep Guru presented documents, including photos, an affidavit and online status before the commission, which made it clear that the DL-1 coach was not available that day. He said that the railway had claimed that the coach was attached and the seat was allotted, but this claim could not stand before the evidence. He said that from documents including photos, an affidavit and online status, it became clear that the coach was not on the train that day. According to Sandeep Guru, the railway could not present any concrete record to prove its claim, the commission ordered compensation, ruling in favour of the passenger. Commission’s decision in favour of the passenger