THE KERALA STATE  CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL  COMMISSION

VAZHUTHACAUD,  THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

APPEAL NO.  175/2014

ORDER DATED. 28/10/2015

(Appeal filed against the order  in CC No.157/2013, on the file of CDRF, Kollam)

PRESENT:-

            JUSTICE.  SRI. P.Q. BARKATH ALI  : PRESIDENT

            SRI. V.V.JOSE                                      : MEMBER

APPELLANTS:

1. T.N. Bhaskaran Nair,

     Chairman, C.V.C,

    Thevally, Kollam- 9

2. K. Bhaskaran Nair,

     Member, C.V. C, Thevally, Kollam-9

3. Kilikolloor Thulasi,

     Joint Secretary,

    Kerala Janakeeya Consumer council

    Residing at Puthen Veedu,

    Nethaji Nagar, Kilikolloor P.O,

     Kollam-4.

Versus

RESPONDENTS:

1. The Divisional Manager,

Southern Railway, Thycaud,

2. The Station Manager,

Kollam Railway station , Kollam.

                                                                                    (2)

3. The Railway station Manager,
4.  

JUDGMENT

JUSTICE . SRI. P.Q. BARKATH ALI: PRESIDENT         

            This is an appeal filed by the complainant   in CC. No.157/2013 , on the file of Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Kollam challenging  the order  of the forum  March 17^th , 2014  in IA/ No. 204/2013  dismissing the complaint as not maintainable.

             The case of the complainants  as detailed in the complaint  before the forum in brief is this.

             Complainants are the office  bearers  of  registered recognized  consumer association.  The first opposite party is the Divisional Manager Southern  Railway and opposite parties 2 & 3 are the Railway Station Managers  of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.  The railway squad  are  collecting  fine of Rs.  350/- to 500/- from season  ticket holders for  travelling in reserved compartments.  They are   forced to  travel in  reservation compartment due to   non

                                                                         (3)

availability   of accommodation  in General compartments.  It is  illegal.  If enough  spaces is not  available in   general compartments,  the passengers should be  permitted to travel  in  reserved coaches or  sufficient   general coaches  should be provided.  If a  ticket      is   once  issued    it is  the responsibility  of the Railway  office to provide  space or  seats for  journey to arrive  at their  correct  destination in time.  The Railway   should    the sale  season ticket or they  should  facilitate the ticket holders to travel  safely  to their  respective  destination.   Therefore , the opposite parties should be  restrained  by an order of injunction  from  ousting the  passengers  having   season tickets who occupy  the reservation compartments due to  non- availability  of accommodation  in  general compartments.  Complainants  have  also prayed  for the   return the   penal amount  collected  from  season ticket holders and to  pay  a compensation of Rs. 500/-  each to the passengers who were   penalized  unauthorizedly   and  also  to pay a cost of Rs. 1,000/-.

             Opposite parties  filed   IA. No. 204/2013 before the forum questioning  the maintainability of the complaint on the   ground 

                                                                         (4)

that complainants have   no  locus standi  to file the complaint  and  that  season ticket  holders  are not  entitled to  travel  in reserved coaches.  The forum found   both the points  in  favour  of the opposite parties and dismissed the complaint.  Complainants have  come up in appeal challenging  the said  order of the forum. 

             Heard. Both the counsels.

1.      Whether  the complaint is maintainable.
2.       Whether the impugned order of the forum can be sustained.

Complainants are  members of an approved Consumer Association   of Kollam District  having Registration No. Q 01/05  Section 12 (b) of consumer protection act 1986 provides that  a complainant can be  filed by any recognized consumer  Association  for on  behalf of the aggrieved  parties.  Therefore  complainants are perfectly   entitled to filed the complaint before the forum .  The finding of the forum on this point is set aside.

            Next question to be  considered is whether season  ticket holders are entitled  to travel in  reserved coaches.  Rule  242. 1 (IV)  of Indian

                                                                        (5)

Railway Conference Association,   coaching  Tariff,  provides  that season ticket are not  valid   for  travel in  reserved coaches  in trains.  The legality  on this  point has been decided   by the   High Court  in writ  Appeal No. WA.No.  3133/2001, 1638/2001, 1337/2000,3515/2007 and 4068/2007 and held that  the season  ticket holders  whether  first class or second class have no right  to travel in the  reserved  coaches and they are  entitle to travel   only in   unreserved  coaches.  Therefore as such the  season ticket holders are not  entitle to travel  reserved coaches  in the  train.  That been so  the complaint is not maintainable.  The finding of the forum on this point  is confirmed.

                        In the result    we find  no merit in this appeal and the same is here by             dismissed.  No cost.

                                                 JUSTICE.  P.Q. BARKATH ALI  : PRESIDENT   

                                                 V.V.JOSE                                     : MEMBER