After 21 years of legal battle, the Supreme Court directs Indian Railways to pay ₹4 lakh compensation to Saynokta Devi, the widow of Vijay Singh, who died in a 2002 train accident, ensuring long-awaited justice.
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NEW DELHI: After more than two decades of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Railways to pay compensation to Saynokta Devi, the widow of Vijay Singh, who died in a train accident in 2002. The case, marked by repeated delays and prior rejections by lower tribunals, underscores the persistence required to secure justice and the judiciary’s role in ensuring timely redressal for citizens.
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Background
On March 21, 2002, Vijay Singh, husband of Saynokta Devi, had a valid railway ticket to travel from Bakhtiyarpur to Patna on the Bhagalpur-Danapur Intercity Express. Unfortunately, due to overcrowding in the compartment, he accidentally fell from the train at the originating station and died instantly.
Devi filed a claim for compensation from the Railway Claims Tribunal, which was rejected because her husband was allegedly “of unsound mind.” The Patna High Court upheld this order, leaving her without any relief for years.
Undeterred, Devi, represented by her lawyer Fauzia Shakil, approached the Supreme Court. In 2023, after 21 years of struggle, the apex court finally acknowledged the injustice. The bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, called the previous rulings “completely absurd” and “contrary to the undisputed facts on record.”
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The Court pointed out a simple yet powerful fact:
“If the deceased were of unsound mind, it would have been nearly impossible for him to purchase a valid railway ticket and attempt to board the train himself.”
The Supreme Court directed the Railways to pay ₹4 lakh with 6% interest per annum from the date of filing the claim petition.
Delays in Justice Delivery
Even after the Supreme Court’s order, fate seemed to test Devi further. Her local counsel had passed away, and the Railways were unable to locate her to disburse the compensation. Despite multiple letters, phone calls, and notices, her address remained elusive due to a clerical error in village records.
The Railways turned again to the Supreme Court, which decided to go the extra mile:
- A public notice was issued in leading newspapers.
- Local police were tasked to physically trace her.
- The Bihar State Legal Services Authority was roped in to verify her current status.
Finally, after tireless efforts, the local authorities located Devi and her family.
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Justice Finally Delivered
The Supreme Court ordered the Railways, with the assistance of the local police, to ensure that the compensation is directly deposited into Devi’s bank account. The Gram Panchayat representatives were also involved to verify her identity and complete the formalities.
The matter is set for a hearing on November 24, 2025, to confirm compliance.
