The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Railways to pay ₹9.10 lakh in compensation to a student who missed her entrance examination after her train was delayed by over two hours.
The order was passed in favour of Samriddhi, a resident of Basti district in Uttar Pradesh. The Commission has also instructed the Railways to release the compensation within 45 days, warning that any delay will attract 12 per cent annual interest.
The incident occurred on May 7, 2018, when Samriddhi was travelling from Basti to Lucknow to appear for the entrance examination for admission to a BSc Biotechnology course. She had booked a ticket on the Intercity Superfast Express, which was scheduled to reach Lucknow by 11 am. Candidates were required to report at the examination centre by 12.30 pm.
However, the train was delayed by nearly two-and-a-half hours, costing the student her chance to write the exam despite a year-long preparation. The missed opportunity, the Commission noted, had a serious impact on her academic future.
Seeking justice, Samriddhi approached the consumer court demanding ₹20 lakh as compensation. Notices were issued to the Railway Ministry, the General Manager, and the Station Superintendent, but the Railways failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for the delay.
Observing that the Railways had admitted the delay without justifying it, the Commission held the authorities responsible for deficiency in service and ordered compensation. The ruling has been hailed as a strong message on passenger rights and accountability in essential public services.
