The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi [India], January 7: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday strongly pulled up the Railway authorities for failing to file their affidavit in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15 last year, which claimed 18 lives.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia expressed serious displeasure over the Railways’ continued non-compliance with court directions, noting that despite the lapse of nearly a year, no response had been placed on record.
The Bench recalled that the Railways had earlier been directed to file an affidavit by March 26, 2025, outlining the decisions proposed to be taken by the Railway Board in the aftermath of the incident. However, the Court observed that no such affidavit had been filed till date.
Expressing concern over the approach of the authorities, Chief Justice Upadhyay remarked that the Railways should not take the Court lightly, adding that the tragic incident itself ought to have served as a wake-up call. The Bench questioned why the affidavit had not been prepared despite clear directions and sufficient time.
During the hearing, counsel for the Railways submitted that several remedial measures had been taken following the stampede, including steps to manage overcrowding and revisions in fares for reserved and unreserved tickets. He assured the Court that a detailed affidavit would be filed within four weeks.
The Bench also questioned a senior IRTS officer from the Railway Board present in court, who stated that an updated affidavit would be placed on record. However, the Court remained dissatisfied, observing that despite earlier assurances, including one made by the Solicitor General of India, no affidavit had been filed even after a year.
“Why such laxity? Are we waiting for another incident to happen?” the Chief Justice remarked, while urging the Railways to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
The Court later granted additional time to the Railways to file their reply and place on record the steps taken after the incident.
The PIL was filed following the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station during peak hours last year, allegedly caused by severe overcrowding on Platform No. 16 due to the simultaneous arrival and departure of multiple long-distance trains on the Delhi–Prayagraj route amid the Mahakumbh rush.
The petition alleges administrative negligence and violation of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The High Court had earlier observed that the plea raises serious concerns over the ineffective implementation of penal provisions under Sections 57 and 147 of the Railways Act, 1989.
While Section 57 mandates fixation of the maximum number of passengers in each compartment, Section 147 requires platform tickets for entry by persons without valid travel authority. The petitioners contended that these safeguards were not enforced, particularly during the Mahakumbh, resulting in dangerously overcrowded platforms and trains.
The PIL was filed by Arth Vidhi, a collective of lawyers and entrepreneurs, through advocates Aditya Trivedi and Shubhi Pastor.
