In a landmark decision underscoring passenger rights and institutional accountability, a district consumer disputes redressal commission in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, has directed Indian Railways to compensate a student with ₹9.10 lakh for missing her crucial entrance examination due to a delayed train. The judgment came after a prolonged seven-year legal battle that highlighted the impact of service lapses on an individual’s academic future.
The Incident: Missed Exam and Lost Opportunity
The case dates back to May 7, 2018, when Samriddhi, a resident of Basti district, was travelling to Lucknow to appear for her BSc Biotechnology entrance exam at Jai Narayan PG College. She boarded an intercity superfast train scheduled to reach Lucknow by 11 a.m., ensuring enough time to report at the exam centre by 12:30 p.m.
However, the train was delayed by over two hours, causing her to arrive late and consequently missing the opportunity to sit for the exam despite having prepared rigorously for a year.
Legal Battle and Court’s Decision
Samriddhi, then 17, filed her complaint in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission after initial notices to railway authorities, including the Railway Ministry and station superintendent, failed to prompt a satisfactory response. She had originally sought ₹20 lakh in compensation for the academic setback and emotional distress caused by the delay.
After hearing both sides, the court concluded that the Railways failed to provide timely service and could not justify the extensive delay. The commission ruled in her favour, awarding ₹9.10 lakh as compensation and directed that the amount be paid within 45 days. Failure to comply would attract a 12 percent interest penalty.
Wider Implications for Passenger Rights
This ruling is significant because it reinforces the principle that public service providers, including the Railways, can be held accountable for negligence when their actions directly affect individuals’ important life opportunities. Delayed trains are a common grievance among millions of rail users, but few cases reach this level of restitution.
Samriddhi has since completed her MSc in Organic Chemistry and is preparing for a PhD, but the court’s judgement offers a measure of justice for the time and opportunity lost due to circumstances beyond her control.
