Elderly couple misses train, consumer commission orders railways to refund after three-year long battle

BENGALURU: The consumer commission has ordered the Indian Railways to compensate an elderly couple who missed their train due to overcrowding. An elderly couple was unable to board the train from Krishnarajapuram station due to overcrowding on the night of April 13, 2022. The compensation has now been ordered in this incident.

Poorna Ramakrishna (65) and his wife Himavati had booked sleeper class tickets on Guwahati Express to Vijayawada at 11.53 pm on March 29 in 2022. They had sleeper class tickets booked for Rs 892.50. They also paid Rs 165 for the auto to reach the station. Despite having valid tickets, the couple could not board the S2 coach due to overcrowding. They had to return home as no railway staff was available to help them. The return ticket also had to be cancelled as they missed the train, causing the couple considerable financial loss.

The couple sent an email to the Indian Railways, but did not receive a response. With no other options, they approached the Bengaluru Urban 2 District Consumer Commission. After the Indian Railways did not respond within 45 days, the initial complaint was dismissed in July 2023. Undeterred, the couple filed an appeal with the State Consumer Commission. The case was sent back to the district forum for a full hearing. After almost three years of legal battle, the elderly couple got justice.

In March 2025, the consumer commission ruled in favor of the elderly couple. The consumer commission asked the Indian Railways to refund the ticket fare of Rs 892.5, pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for emotional distress and service failure, and pay Rs 3,000 towards legal expenses.