Chandigarh Disputes Redressal Ruled That Waitlisted Tickets As Unfair & Can Be Obtained If Cancelled 30 Minutes Before Departure

Case: Union of India v Amandeep Singh

Bench: President Justice Shekhar Attri and Member Rajesh K Arya 

Chandigarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission recently ruled that a rule stating that refunds for waitlisted tickets can only be obtained if they are canceled thirty minutes before the train leaves are unfair.

As per Rule 7 of the Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules, 1998, individuals on a train's waiting list must cancel their tickets at least thirty minutes before the scheduled departure time to receive a refund. However, the order acknowledged that it may not always be feasible for those hopeful of receiving a confirmed ticket to cancel their reservation within the designated time frame.

According to the Bench, such a rule is detrimental to consumers and results in unnecessary financial loss.

Additionally, the bench noted that although we are presently in a technological age where mobile phones and laptops are commonly used, it is unreasonable to expect every individual to have access to such devices to secure tickets instantly while waiting in long queues at crowded railway stations like New Delhi's.

In the present case, the Indian Railways contested the decision of the Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which had directed the payment of the ticket price as well as compensation of ₹8,000 and legal expenses to the complainant. The Railways argued that they do not assure confirmed seats to any passenger, and as per the 1998 Rules, refunds for RAC or waitlisted tickets are not permitted after 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. Since the complainant had failed to request a refund from the relevant authorities within the specified timeframe, the request was declined.