The Delhi High Court today asked the amicus curiae to organise a video conference with the Railway Minister so that the applicant, who had lost her leg in a railway accident in 2011, gets an audience before the next date of hearing.
Justice J.R. Midha asked the counsels by giving the reference of victim Arunima Sinha, who was travelling on a valid ticket and had been pushed from a moving train by robbers and her leg was amputated due to the said incident and was offered job from Indian Railways in 2011. “If it is possible then arrange a video conference with applicant and Railway Minister along with concerned authority, so that the petitioner would get an audience.”
The petitioner was travelling by Andhra Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express, when a boy suddenly snatched her bag containing valuables. When she resisted, she was dragged towards the gate of the coach along with the bag. In the meanwhile, an accomplice of the said boy pushed her from behind. The applicant fell and her left leg got entangled in the footboard of the coach. The boys ran away with the bag containing the valuables. Hearing the alarm raised by the applicant, passengers pulled the chain to stop the train. The leg of the applicant was tied with a cloth. She was made to lie down in the train. Upon the train reaching Old Faridabad Railway Station, the applicant was taken to Escorts Fortis Hospital, Faridabad by TT in the police jeep. The hospital demanded Rs 1,00,000 to start the treatment and look after the applicant. After begging and borrowing, the father of the applicant deposited the said amount. The left leg of the Applicant was amputated on December 24, 2011 and the applicant was discharged on January 5, 2012.
Justice Midha noted the following issues: passengers did not help the applicant, safety on trains, negligence of doctors as they denied operation and justice getting delayed, failure of security, failure of hospitals and duty of society to help her.
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Justice Midha said this case will not be used as precedent and after this case we will try to change the railway claims and reform the policy. He also requested the railway department to show some sympathy.
Amicus curiae A.S. Chandhiok assured the Court, “I will make an effort to ensure that applicant will get audience /hearing before the next date of hearing with the Railway Minister.” Justice Midha adjourned the matter and listed it on June 10 and concluded the hearing saying, “She was top priority for this court and I wish her good luck in life.”