The Supreme Court cautioned against adopting a hypertechnical approach in claims under Section 124A of the Railways Act seeking compensation for deaths or injuries - "untoward incidents"- during train journeys.

The Court said that once foundational facts - (i) the possession or issuance of a valid ticket, and (ii) the occurrence of an accidental fall from train - are established through credible material, it must be statutorily presumed that the victim was a bona fide passenger.

Reaffirming that proceedings under Section 124A of the Railways Act are not "criminal trials demanding proof beyond reasonable doubt, but welfare statues are governed by the principles of preponderance and probabilities", the Court asked the Railways not to reject genuine claims citing technicalities.

"The Railw

See Full Page