Court Rules Against Compensation Claim as Appellant Admits to Intoxication Before Platform Accident
In a significant judgment, the Bombay High Court has upheld the decision of the Railway Claims Tribunal, Mumbai, denying compensation to Harish Narayan Suvarna, who suffered injuries while waiting for a train at Marine Lines station. The Court ruled that Suvarna was ineligible for compensation due to his intoxication at the time of the incident, as per the proviso to Section 124A of the Railways Act, 1989.
Justice Jitendra Jain presided over the case, where Suvarna, employed as a Lab Assistant at Bombay Hospital, contended that he was knocked down by a train while standing on the platform. However, hospital records indicated that Suvarna had consumed four large pegs of alcohol before dinner, leading the Court to conclude that his intoxicated state contributed to the incident.
The Court pointed out that the Railways Act specifically disqualifies compensation claims if the injury results from acts committed in a state of intoxication. Suvarna's admission of consuming alcohol was considered sufficient evidence, negating the need for further expert reports to establish intoxication.
The judgment referred to previous cases, including Smt. Shobha w/o. Deepak Thakre v. Union of India and Ankush s/o. Ramaji Amzare v. Union of India, to distinguish the facts and reinforce the decision. In those cases, the absence of expert reports and conflicting medical evidence played a crucial role, whereas in Suvarna's case, his own admission proved decisive.
Justice Jain emphasized the severe consequences of alcohol consumption, quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald: "First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you." The judgment serves as a reminder of the dangers of intoxication, especially in environments like railway platforms where vigilance is paramount.
The Court dismissed Suvarna's appeal, reinforcing the need for personal responsibility and adherence to safety protocols in public spaces. The decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to uphold statutory provisions designed to ensure passenger safety and accountability.
Bottom Line:
Proviso to Section 124A of the Railways Act, 1989 bars compensation to a passenger who suffers injury due to any act committed by him in a state of intoxication.
Statutory provision(s): Railways Act, 1989 Section 124A
Harish Narayan Suvarna v. Union Of India, (Bombay) : Law Finder Doc id # 2852732
