Kerala Human Rights Panel Orders Railways to Pay Rs 2 Lakh After Woman’s Midnight Deportation

K Jayasmitha, a resident of Erumapetty in Thrissur now living in Thiruvananthapuram, traveled on train 16348 from Wadakkanchery to Thiruvananthapuram on July 30, 2023, believing she held a confirmed ticket. A digit error in the mobile number entered during booking sent the reservation confirmation to a different phone, prompting that passenger to cancel the ticket. Upon reaching her assigned berth in coach S4, Jayasmitha discovered it already occupied and was told by the ticket examiner to pay a Rs 500 fine for another seat, which she could not provide.

The train continued to Aluva, where the Railway Protection Force detained her on allegations of traveling without a ticket. She was later released on bail and the criminal case was dropped after the booking mistake was confirmed. The Kerala State Human Rights Commission found violations of Sections 137 and 139 of the Railways Act, ordered Indian Railways to compensate her Rs 2 lakh within a month, and instructed the Southern Railway to issue a circular ensuring the safety of women traveling alone at night.