In Brief
An Assistant Loco-Pilot employed by the Railways died after falling from a moving train in 2005. The Railway Claims Tribunal rejected his family's compensation claim on the basis that he had de-trained without authorization. The High Court upheld the dismissal. The Supreme Court held that Section 124A of the Railways Act, 1989 provides for statutory compensation whenever an untoward incident occurs on railways, regardless of fault or negligence by the Railway administration. The failure to conduct a mandated inquiry did not relieve the Railways of this compensation obligation. The Court allowed the appeal and awarded Rs. 4 lakhs compensation to the deceased's family."
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