Kerala High Court
George Vattukulam vs Union Of India on 12 April, 2023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.S.MANIKUMAR
&
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
WEDNESDAY, THE 12TH DAY OF APRIL 2023 / 22ND CHAITHRA, 1945
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023
PETITIONER/S:
GEORGE VATTUKULAM
AGED 61 YEARS
S/O JOSEPH, VATTUKULAM HOUSE
RAMAVARMAPURAM , P.O KUTTUMUKKU
THRISSUR DISTRICT., PIN - 686670
BY ADVS.
SACHIN RAMESH
ASADU AHMMED CHULLINTE
ARAVIND T RAMESH
RESPONDENT/S:
1 UNION OF INDIA
REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY,
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS, NEW DELHI., PIN - 110001
2 INDIAN RAILWAYS
REPRESENTED BY ITS GENERAL MANAGER,
NEW DELHI., PIN - 110001
3 SOUTHERN RAILWAYS
REPRESENTED BY AREA MANAGER,
OFFICE OF THE AREA MANAGER,
SOUTH ERNAKULAM., PIN - 685012
4 PRINCIPAL CHIEF SECURITY COMMISSIONER
SOUTHERN RAILWAY, PARKTOWN,
CHENNAI - 600003 CHENNAI., PIN - 600002
5 STATE OF KERALA,
REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM., PIN - 695036
6 STATE POLICE CHIEF
POLICE HEADQUARTERS,
VAZHUTAKKAD THIRUVANANTHAPURAM., PIN - 695010
R BY ADV.JAISHANKER V.NAIR, CGS
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
12.04.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..2..
JUDGMENT
S. Manikumar, C.J.
Instant writ petition is filed for the following reliefs:
"(i) To issue a Writ of a Mandamus or any
other appropriate writ, order or direction,
directing the respondents to install CCTV
cameras in every Compartments of trains in
an expeditious time bound manner to ensure
safety of passengers;
(ii) To issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other
appropriate writ, order or direction, to the
Respondents to do the necessary to render
the trains safe for passengers."
2. Petitioner who claims to be a social worker and public
spirited person has approached this Court for a direction
to the respondents to install CCTV cameras in all the
compartments to ensure the safety of train passengers.
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..3..
3.Short facts leading to the filing of the writ petition are
as follows:
The petitioner states that, in a bizarre incident, an
unidentified person splashed inflammable substance
inside a train compartment and set ablaze the running
train when it reached Elathur at 9 p.m on 02.04.2023.As
a result, three people were killed and several others
sustained burn injuries. The petitioner states,that if
CCTV cameras were installed,they could have identified
the culprit and ensured the safety of the passengers.
4. Installation of CCTV cameras in every compartments
of trains is duly a policy decision of the Government.
Nevertheless, as regards the safety of the passengers,
this Court, in W.P.(C) No.11861 of 2021, after recording
the statement filed on behalf of the Indian Railways,
disposed of the writ petition directing the General
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..4..
Manager, Indian Railways to periodically review the
steps undertaken by Railways. The measures taken to
prevent crime against passengers on railways, especially
women passengers, recorded therein are reproduced as
below:
"a) RPF escort is provided in selected
Mail/Express/Passenger Trains between 6 pm
and 6 am according to its vulnerability to
ensure safety and security of passengers.
Officers in the rank of Inspector, Sub-
Inspector and Assistant Sub- Inspectors are
deputed for performing train escort.
b) Special Squad consisting women RPF
staff are formed time to time under the
supervision of women Sub-Inspector and they
are utilized for train escort duty between 6
pm and 6 am in vulnerable passenger trains
for ensuring safety and security of women
passengers.
c) "MERI SAHELI", an initiative to
provide end to end safety and security of
women has been introduced focusing women
passengers travelling alone.
d) An effective Crime Prevention and
Detection Squad (CPDS) is functioning round
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..5..
the clock covering trains and important
railway stations in order to prevent/detect
crime against passengers, especially women
passengers and keeps an eye on ladies
coaches. This team is under the direct
supervision of one Inspector of RPF.
e) Train escort staff has been instructed
to make close watch over the activities of
suspected persons/antisocial elements in
trains and station premises in order to ensure
safety of passengers.
f) Integrated Security System has been
implemented in major stations. CCTV
cameras have been installed under "Nirbhaya
Scheme" in majority of stations for proper
surveillance and to prevent crime against
passengers. Steps are taken for Installation of
CCTV cameras in rest of the stations as well.
g) CC TV cameras are fitted in about
178 coaches and fire detection systems are
provided in about 362 coaches.
h) Co-ordination meetings are organized
with Government Railway Police, Local Police
and other security agencies and state
government agencies for exchanging of
information and to curb crimes.
i) Joint combing operation by RPF,
Government Railway Police, and other
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..6..
security agencies is being carried out on a
regular basis in trains and railway premises
to ensure general security.
j) Extensive passenger awareness
programmes are being conducted in trains
and railway stations, duly issuing pamphlets
to educate rail users against theft, robbery,
drugging etc.
k) All India Railway Helpline No.139 is
functional on pan India basis for the use of
passengers in need of any assistance while on
travel.
l) Rail Madad, Twitter and CPGRAM
online platforms are available for passengers
for immediate lodging of complaint and
assistance while on travel.
m) Body worn cameras are being utilized for
covering train escort parties and special
duties on daily basis."
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..7..
The same shall form part of this judgment as well.
Notwithstanding the disposal of the writ petition,it is
open to the Railways to take appropriate decision.
With the above observations, writ petition is
disposed of.
Sd/-
S.MANIKUMAR
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sd/-
MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN
JUDGE
SB
WP(C) NO. 13262 OF 2023 ..8..
APPENDIX
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS REPORTED IN THE
HINDU DATED 03/04/2023
