A couple traveled in the AC compartment of the train. A bag containing cash and jewelery was allegedly stolen from the train. There was also a gold mangalsutra in the bag. The couple filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Commission in this incident five years ago. The Consumer Protection Commission in Pathankot, Punjab ordered Indian Railways to pay Rs 80,000 as compensation.
According to the case, the incident started when the couple, who hail from Punjab, were traveling with their children on the Dibrugarh-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in December and had third-class AC coach tickets.
It is alleged that one of their handbags was stolen from inside the train. The bag contained a gold mangalsutra weighing about 15 grams. They had Rs 5,000 in cash and a bank passbook.
After the incident they reported the incident to RPF and TTE. On reaching Delhi, they lodged a null FIR and later filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Commission against the Railways. During the litigation, Northern Railways claimed that the complaint was not filed on time at the station.
However, the complainant reported the complaint to RPF and TTE. The family also filed a zero FIR with the New Delhi station. The commission also sought copies of duty rosters of coach attendants and RPF but the Railways could not submit them.
The commission in its judgment held Northern Railway guilty. Commission president Kulbinder Singh Pannu and commission member Rajkumar Shukla also said that the railways did not provide adequate protection and services to the family. 70,000 as compensation for lost goods and 10,000 for emotional distress to the family.