A man from Muzaffarpur district in Bihar has sent a notice to Indian Railways, asking for Rs 50 lakh in compensation after he and his in-laws were unable to board a train to Prayagraj due to alleged negligence by railway officials.
The complainant, Janak Kishore Jha (also known as Rajan), claimed that despite having AC-3 tickets for the Swatantrata Senani Express on January 26, he and his family couldn’t board the train because the door to their coach was locked from the inside.
Jha, a resident of the Gayghat police station area, said that even after several attempts and asking for help from railway staff, no assistance was provided, and the train left without them.
As a result, Jha has formally asked the Chairman and CEO of the Indian Railway Board to refund the ticket amount with interest within 15 days. He has also warned of legal action and demanded ₹50 lakh in compensation if the refund is not processed within this time.
Jha argued that the railways' negligence prevented him and his family from attending the Maha Kumbh, a significant religious event that occurs once every 144 years. He said missing this event caused not just financial loss but also emotional and spiritual distress.
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"I had booked AC-3 tickets from Muzaffarpur to Prayagraj for myself, my mother-in-law, and father-in-law. When the train arrived, the door to our coach was locked from the inside. Despite our efforts, no one opened it. The crowd was too large to reach another coach. We asked for help from the station master and the Government Railway Police, but no one helped, and the train left. This is negligence. We have asked for a refund with interest," Jha said.
Jha's lawyer, S.K. Jha, has filed the case under the Consumer Protection Act, claiming poor service.
The lawyer argued that the railways must ensure passengers can board their designated train safely and on time. The failure to do so caused financial, mental, and physical distress for the complainant.
"Since the railways failed in its duty, we have sent a legal notice, giving the Chairman 15 days to process the refund. If they don’t comply, we will take the matter to court and seek compensation," the lawyer added.
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