Andhra Pradesh High Court: In an appeal filed by the parents of 20-year-old man who died after falling from a moving train, for the modification of the compensation award, A Single Judge Bench of Sumathi Jagadam, J., modified the compensation awarded to the deceased’s parents. The Court awarded the interest of 6% on compensation amount from the date of filing of the application of compensation and stated that Railway Claims Tribunal has erroneously concluded and awarded interest from the date of the order instead of the date of filing the application.
Background
The deceased was travelling in train from Kalluru to Anantapur. Due to heavy rush in the train, he accidentally fell after crossing Garladenne Railway station and sustained serious injuries, which resulted in his death at the railway station. The deceased was just 20 years old. The deceased’s parents filed petition claiming compensation of Rs 4,00,000 along with interest, before Railway Claims Tribunal, Secunderabad Bench.
The respondent- Railways denied the allegations of claim application and stated that the claim does not fall under the provisions of Section 123(c) or Section 124A of the Railways Act, 1989. It was further contended that the deceased fell from the moving train while sitting on the footboard, and therefore, his death was caused by his negligence.
The Railway Claims Tribunal stated that as per Section 123(b)(i) of the Railways Act, 1989 the parents were entitled to claim compensation, if the deceased passenger was unmarried. Thus, directed the respondent to deposit an amount of Rs.4,00,000 from the date of that order, along with interest at the rate of 9% per annum.
This order of the Railway Claims Tribunal was challenged by the applicants before the present Court on the ground that they were entitled to the 9% of interest from the date of filing of the application and not from the date of the order.
Analysis, Law and Decision
The consideration before the Court was whether the deceased’s parents were entitled to interest from the date of filing of the application or the date of the order?
The Court emphasised that the Tribunal ought to have considered that the children hold significant symbolic importance for parents in terms of their generativity and hope for the future. When a child dies, the dreams may die too. This death of the future seems integral to the intensity of many parents’ responses. While guilt and self-blame are common in bereavement, they are especially pronounced following the death of a child. Such a loss severely threatens the parents’ role as caregivers, protectors, and mentors.
The Court stated that in the absence of any contradictory evidence of any witnesses on the cause of death, the Tribunal ought not to have held that the applicants are entitled to interest only from the date of the order. Thus, it was opined by the Court that the Railway Claims Tribunal has erroneously concluded and awarded interest from the date of the order instead of the date of filing the application.
Accordingly, the Court modified the order passed by the Railway Claims Tribunal, directing the respondent to calculate interest from the date of the application until the amount is realised and to pay interest at 6% p.a. on the awarded amount of Rs. 4,00,000/-. The respondent was also directed to release the amount immediately to the deceased’s parents.
[Kuruva Kullayappa v. Union of India, 2025 SCC OnLine AP 3060, decided on: 19-8-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
Advocate for the Appellants- Ineni Venkata Prasad
Advocate for the Respondents- JUMV Prasad (Central Government Counsel); Adhi Venkateswara Rao, Advocate
