Delhi District Commission Holds IRCTC Liable For Serving Veg Biryani With A Dead Worm Inside

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi bench comprising Monika A Srivastava, President and Kiran Kaushal, Member has held Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. liable for serving veg biryani with a dead worm inside it. The commission has granted a compensation of Rs. 25,000/- to the complainant. Brief facts: The complainant was travelling from New Delhi to Jasidih, Jharkhand on Poorva Express on 28.12.2018 and was served a veg biryani worth Rs. 80/-. It was stated that the biryani was unhygienic and contained a dead white worm of huge size. It was further stated that on consuming the biryani, the complainant's health deteriorated. He started vomiting and had severe abdominal pain. The complainant asked for the register to file his complaint which was initially denied by the railway authorities. After managing to get the register, the complainant was pressurized by the officials to take back the complaint. After de-boarding at Jasidih, the complainant took a cab since he was not feeling well rather than to take the public bus which was to arrive two hours later. It was further stated that three bottles of saline water were given to the complainant to compensate for the dehydration and the complainant had to take injections and medicines for the next entire week. As per the complainant, he experienced food poisoning which was a result of grave negligence of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. ('IRCTC'). Hence, a complaint was filed by the complainant against IRCTC before the Delhi district commission. No one appeared on behalf of IRCTC. Hence, the commission proceeded as ex-parte against it. Observations of the commission: The bench observed all the documents filed by the complainant which include the train ticket, mail from Indian Railways deeply regretting the inconvenience caused to the complainant. The bench further examined the picture of the veg biryani with a white worm dead inside. It was observed that though an apology was tendered to the complainant and a suitable monetary penalty has been imposed on the service provider, it does not suffice the physical and mental trauma which the complainant had to go through. It was held that IRCTC is expected to maintain certain standards and to check the quality of food being served to the consumers. Thus, IRCTC was held liable for deficiency in service. Hence, the complaint was allowed and IRCTC was directed to pay Rs. 25,000/- as compensation to the complainant. Case Title: Saurav Raj vs Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. Case Number: Case No. 192/2019 Date of Decision: 28.08.2025 Click Here To Read/Download The Order

Delhi District Commission Holds IRCTC Liable For Serving Veg Biryani With A Dead Worm Inside

Aakanksha Bajoria

Tags