Railways Ordered To Compensate Elderly Bengaluru Couple Who Missed Train Due To Overcrowding
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Forced to miss an overcrowded train despite valid tickets, an elderly couple battled Indian Railways for years and won. Their quiet courage turned their loss into justice
On the night of April 13, 2022, an elderly couple in Bengaluru experienced a distressing ordeal when they were unable to board their reserved train due to severe overcrowding at Krishnarajapuram (KJM) station. Purna Ramakrishna, 65, and his wife Himavati arrived at 11:53pm to board the Guwahati Express bound for Vijayawada, holding confirmed sleeper class tickets worth Rs 892.5. They had also paid Rs 165 for an auto-rickshaw ride to the station.
Despite their valid tickets, the S2 coach was so packed that boarding was nearly impossible. With no railway staff available to assist and only two minutes before departure, the couple was forced to give up and return home—unaware that their struggle was far from over.
The couple repeatedly sought redress by lodging complaints and sending emails to Indian Railways, but received no response. Expecting Indian Railways to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) on their behalf, they waited in vain. With no alternative left, they took their case to the Bengaluru Urban 2 District Consumer Commission.
When Indian Railways failed to respond within the mandated 45-day period, the initial complaint was dismissed in July 2023. Undeterred, the couple appealed to the State Consumer Commission, which sent the case back to the District Forum for a full hearing.
Missing the train also caused the cancellation of subsequent confirmed tickets on the Kondavidu Express and a return ticket scheduled for April 21, resulting in significant financial loss for the couple.
Finally, in March 2025, the Consumer Commission ruled in favour of the elderly couple. Indian Railways was ordered to refund the Rs 892.5 ticket fare, pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for emotional distress and service failure, and Rs 3,000 towards legal expenses.
First Published:
June 02, 2025, 10:46 IST
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