Ajmer Doctor Injured at Station Wins ₹60,000 Compensation
Summary: A senior doctor from JLN Hospital in Ajmer was awarded ₹60,000 in compensation after sustaining severe injuries from falling while deboarding a train without a proper platform. The District Consumer Commission held the Railways accountable for negligence in passenger safety.
No Platform, No Safety? Ajmer Doctor Wins ₹60,000 in Railway Negligence Case
Shouldn’t deboarding a train be safe for all?
A recent ruling by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Ajmer, has brought railway safety under sharp focus. The Commission directed Indian Railways to pay ₹60,000 in compensation to a senior doctor from JLN Hospital, Ajmer, after he suffered multiple fractures while getting off a train, because there was no platform at his coach’s location.
This decision highlights a critical question: Are Indian railway stations doing enough to ensure passenger safety?
The Incident: A Routine Journey Gone Wrong
The incident took place on April 10, 2016, when the doctor, also a professor at JLN Medical College, was returning from Delhi to Ajmer via the Yoga Express. When the train halted at Ajmer Junction, the second AC coach, where he was seated, was positioned beyond the platform area. As he stepped down, he fell badly due to the absence of a platform and sustained multiple fractures.
The injuries were so severe that he had to undergo surgeries and was bedridden for six months, rendering him unable to treat patients at the hospital.
Railways Say "Not Our Fault"
When the doctor filed a complaint, the Railways refused to take responsibility.
Their argument?
Passengers are supposed to exit only where there is a platform. They claimed that the doctor jumped off without checking, thus blaming the victim.
To make matters worse, Railways also argued that the doctor wasn’t a “consumer” of their services and that he should approach the Railway Claims Tribunal, not the Consumer Court.
Court Calls It Negligence, Awards Compensation
The Consumer Commission disagreed with the Railways.
The Commission noted that the doctor had paid for a ticket, making him a rightful consumer entitled to safety during travel. The court emphasized that providing a platform for safe deboarding is the railway’s responsibility, and not doing so amounts to gross negligence
In a verdict dated June 6, Commission Chairperson Ann Kumawat and members Dinesh Chaturvedi and Jaishri Sharma ruled:
- ₹25,000 to be paid to the doctor as compensation
- ₹10,000 for mental harassment
- 9% interest from November 22, 2016 (date of complaint)
- ₹25,000 to be deposited in the welfare fund of the consumer commission
“He Needed Help, Not Blame”
Speaking on behalf of the doctor, Advocate Surya Prakash Gandhi stated:
“He had returned from Delhi by Yoga Express. There was no platform when he stepped down. He fell and was badly injured.”
Despite the doctor’s medical contributions and suffering, the Railways continued to deny fault until the court stepped in.
Final Thoughts: Passenger Safety Is Non-Negotiable
This case sends a powerful message: Negligence in public safety won’t be tolerated, even by large entities like Indian Railways. With the court recognising the doctor’s right as a consumer, it sets a precedent that passenger safety cannot be compromised.
Have you ever faced safety concerns while using Indian Railways? This ruling might just be a step toward change.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
