By News Desk 
In a significant judgment, the Delhi High Court has ruled that the absence of a valid train ticket does not automatically disqualify a deceased passenger’s family from receiving compensation in case of a fatal railway accident. The court emphasized that evidence of the passenger’s presence on the train is sufficient for dependents to be entitled to compensation.
The bench, headed by Justice Dharmesh Sharma, noted that in many instances, multiple passengers travel on a single group ticket, and it is not mandatory for each person to carry an individual printed copy. The court directed the Railways to compensate the family of the deceased, affirming that there was credible proof that the ticket had been purchased prior to the journey.
Tribunal’s Rejection Overturned
This judgment comes after the Railway Claims Tribunal had previously denied compensation, stating that since no train ticket was found with the deceased, the claim was invalid. The victim’s parents had filed the compensation petition, stating their 24-year-old son died in a tragic accident while traveling by train.
Traveling With Family When Tragedy Struck
According to the claim, the young man was traveling in 2017 from Jabalpur to Delhi on the Mahakaushal Express, accompanied by his sister and nephew. The accident occurred near Agra, where he accidentally fell off the train and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
During the hearing, the tribunal acknowledged that the death was indeed caused by a train accident but rejected the compensation, arguing that he wasn’t a “genuine passenger” due to the absence of a personal ticket.
Bench Challenges Timing Discrepancies
The turning point came when the Railways argued that the ticket submitted by the family corresponded to a train that normally arrives in Delhi during the evening, whereas the accident occurred late at night. However, the court dismissed this argument, stating that while arrival times may be scheduled, trains often do not arrive at their exact scheduled times.
Furthermore, when asked to provide the exact arrival time of the train in Delhi on the day of the incident, the Railways failed to produce the information, weakening their case further.
Passenger Status Confirmed by Witness Testimony
The bench emphasized that the combination of the ticket presented and eyewitness testimonies from other passengers at the accident site confirmed the deceased’s status as a valid passenger.
Compensation of ₹8 Lakh Ordered
The Delhi High Court ordered Indian Railways to pay ₹8 lakh to the victim’s family as compensation. Additionally, the court ruled that 12% interest per annum must be paid on the amount from the date of the accident until the compensation is fully paid.
Conclusion
This ruling sets a strong precedent emphasizing that procedural lapses like the absence of a physical ticket should not deprive grieving families of their rightful compensation—especially when credible evidence proves the victim’s presence on the train. The decision marks an important step towards ensuring justice and accountability in railway-related fatalities.