THE RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ACT, 1987
Under Indian Railways Act, 1890, liability has been laid down on railway administration for loss, destruction, damage, non delivery or deterioration of goods entrusted to them for carriage & for death or injury, or loss etc. to a passenger in a railway accident involving a passenger train.
The Railway claims Tribunal (RCT in short) has been established for enquiry into & determining claims against a railway administration for loss, destruction, damages, deterioration or non delivery of animals or goods entrusted to it to be carried by railway or for the refund of fares or freight or for compensation for death or injury to passengers occurring as a result of railway accidents or untoward incidents & for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.
A person or an agent or authorized legal practitioner seeking any relief in respect of matters referred above (more accurately as per sub section (I) or sub section (I A) of Section 13, may make an application in person on the prescribed manner as given in relevant Form I or Form II or Form III as the case may be along with the prescribed fee as specified in Schedule II, accompanied by such documents or other evidence, within the Time Limit as laid down under section 17 pertaining to Limitation.
An application to the Claims Tribunal for compensation for loss of the life of, or personal injury to, a passenger or for loss, destruction, damage, deterioration or non – delivery of animals or goods may be made:-
(a) If the passenger was, or the animals or goods were, booked from one station to another on the railway of the same railway administration, against that railway administration;
(b) If the passenger was, or the animals or goods were, booked through over the railway of two or more railway administration, against the railway administration for which the passenger obtained his pass or purchased his ticket or to which animals or goods were delivered for carriage, as he case may be, or against the railway administration on whose railway the destination station lies, or the loss injury, destruction, damage or deterioration occurred.”
For further details, it is advised that the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987 be referred.