rlys-passenger-gets-rs-25k-compensation-for-worm-in-biryani

In a matter that was settled after 7 years, a consumer court in Delhi has ordered the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to pay Rs 25,000 compensation to a train passenger who fell ill after being served food containing a worm.

 

In an order passed on October 28, the District Consumer Redressal Commission (DCDRC) President Monika Sirvastava ruled that IRCTC was guilty of deficiency in service.The Commission said that even though IRCTC had expressed regret and penalised the service provider, it would not be sufficient for the physical and mental trauma suffered by complainant Kiran Kaushal.

 

"It is expected of OP [opposite party] to maintain certain standards and to check the quality of food being served to the consumers while travelling in the train.In light of the discussion above, OP is found to be deficient in service and is directed to pay Rs 25,000/-towards compensation, for shortcoming in the quality of the food served to the complainant," the Commission ordered.

 

Kaushal was travelling from New Delhi to Jasidih in Jharkhand on the Poorva Express on December 28, 2018, when he ordered a plate of vegetable biryani priced at Rs 80.While eating the food, he discovered a large, dead white worm in the meal. Soon after eating the contaminated food, his health deteriorated and he began vomiting and suffering severe abdominal pain.

 

Alone on the train and with no immediate medical help available, Kaushal struggled through the journey. When he demanded the complaint register, the railway staff initially refused to provide it. After finally managing to file his complaint, he was allegedly pressured by the vendor to withdraw it, adding to his distress.

 

Even though complainant had  demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation for mental agony, torture  and harassment while he alleged defieceincy of service by IRCTC, the amount of Rs 25K was finally decided and directed by the Consumer Court to be given as compensation to passenger. After considering the case and the video recording produced by Kaushal, the Court awarded him Rs 25,000.