The Supreme Court has questioned the Railways for offering low-cost accident insurance only to passengers who book train tickets online, calling the practice discriminatory. The court said the benefit must also be available to those who purchase tickets at station counters.
The observations came while hearing an appeal filed by Radha Yadav, who argued that lakhs of passengers buying counter tickets are denied the insurance option that online passengers receive. The petition sought directions to remove this disparity.
The matter was heard again by a bench of Justices Asanuddin Amanullah and Mahadevan. A senior advocate appointed to assist the court informed the bench that the Railways had not conveyed any favourable decision on the issue.
In its order, the court said there cannot be different treatment based on whether a passenger buys a ticket online or at a counter, and that travel insurance should not be restricted to a select group. It directed the Railways to ensure the insurance facility is extended to counter-ticket passengers as well.
The bench also rejected the Railways’ argument about technical difficulties in collecting the insurance premium and recording details at ticket counters, stating that such issues cannot be a major hurdle in modern times. It added that passengers rely on the Railways, which bears responsibility from accident insurance to ensuring a safe journey.
