Consumer Court Orders ₹25,000 Compensation to Passenger for Worm in Train Biryani
A Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to pay ₹25,000 as compensation to a passenger who suffered physical illness and mental agony after consuming food containing a worm during a train journey.
Facts of the Complaint
The complainant, Saurav Raj, was travelling from New Delhi to Jasidih (Jharkhand) on Poorva Express on 28 December 2018. He purchased a plate of vegetable biryani priced at ₹80 served by IRCTC’s authorized vendor. While eating, he discovered a large dead white worm in the meal.
Immediately thereafter, his health deteriorated, and he began vomiting and experiencing severe abdominal pain. Being alone on the train, with no immediate medical assistance, he endured the journey in distress.
When he sought to register a complaint, the railway staff initially refused to provide the complaint register. Upon finally managing to record his grievance, he was allegedly pressured by the vendor to withdraw it.
The complainant demanded ₹5 lakh compensation for the physical suffering, harassment, and mental agony caused due to the deficiency in service.
Findings of the Consumer Forum
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Delhi, presided over by President Monika Srivastava and Member Kiran Kaushal, after examining the evidence including a video recording produced by the complainant, held that IRCTC was guilty of deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act.
The Commission observed that though IRCTC had expressed regret and imposed a penalty on the service provider, such actions were insufficient to redress the physical and mental trauma endured by the passenger.
The forum emphasized that IRCTC, being a public utility service provider, is obligated to maintain high standards of hygiene and quality in food served aboard trains.
Commission’s Order
The Bench directed IRCTC to pay ₹25,000 towards compensation to the complainant for the shortcoming in food quality and for the physical and mental distress caused.
The order reads:
“It is expected of the Opposite Party to maintain certain standards and check the quality of food being served to consumers while travelling. In light of the discussion above, the Opposite Party is found deficient in service and is directed to pay ₹25,000 towards compensation.”
Case Details:
- Case Title: Saurav Raj vs. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)
- Forum: District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Delhi
- Coram: President Monika Srivastava and Member Kiran Kaushal
- Order Date: 28 October 2025
- Compensation Awarded: ₹25,000
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