For Rs 20, man fights legal battle with Indian Railways; wins case after 22 years

A man from Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district, who had been fighting a legal battle against India Railways for long 22 years for just Rs 20, has won the case. The man, a lawyer by profession, has now become a source of inspiration online. 

The District Consumer Forum ruled in favour of the advocate after hearing the case.

Ruling in his favour, the court has now directed the Railways to pay the entire amount of Rs 20 in a month to him at a rate of 12% per annum interest. In addition, Indian Railways has been directed to pay an additional amount of Rs 15,000 for financial and mental pain, as well as litigation expenses.

The Advocate has been identified as Tungnath Chaturvedi, a resident of Mathura’s Holidate area.

According to the case diary, Chaturvedi and one of his associates had been to the Mathura Cantonment ticket window to purchase a ticket to Moradabad on December 25, 1999.

Back then, the ticket cost him Rs 35. He handed over Rs 100 note to the man sitting at the ticket counter. However, instead of taking Rs 70 (35 each) for Chaturvedi and his associate, the man at the ticket counter deducted Rs 90. He gave back only Rs 10 instead of Rs 30. 

When asked, he refused to return the remaining Rs 20. 

With no option, Chaturvedi and his associate took the train. But, after the journey, he filed a complaint at the District Consumer Forum against ‘North East Railway’ (Gorakhpur) and ‘Booking Clerk,’ including Mathura Cantonment as a party.

After 22 years, the matter was finally resolved and the court ruled in his favour. 

Consumer Forum President Navneet Kumar ordered the Railways to refund the Rs 20 collected from the advocate at 12% interest per year. During the hearing, the advocate suffered mental and financial distress, as well as litigation expenses and a Rs 15,000 fine.

He also ordered that if the amount is not paid within 30 days of the Railways’ announcement of the decision, it must be returned with 15 per cent interest on Rs 20 instead of 12 per annum.

Chaturvedi breathed a sigh of relief finally after more than 22 years of legal battle.