New Delhi, March 9th, 2010

The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that the Railway Board pay Rs. 5 lakhs as monetary relief to Master Samar Singh, aged 12 years, who sustained severe injuries and lost his right hand and leg when he was pushed from the Geetanjali Express by a TTE, Navneet Mishra. The incident happened on the 2nd July, 2008. The boy was serving voluntarily as a sweeper on the train.

A case under Section 341/337/338/307/325 IPC on FIR No. 76 against the TTE is already registered and he was arrested on the 4th July, 2008. A charge sheet against him has already been filed in the Court.

The Commission took up the matter on a complaint filed by Mr. Ramesh Kumar Mandal which was registered as a case no. 265/18/34/08-09. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the matter, the Commission found it a case of gross violation of human rights of the victim and issued notice to the Railway Board.

Having received no response from the Railway Board to its show cause notice despite reminders, the Commission presumed that the Railway Board has nothing to say against the notice.

Therefore, in its recommendatory order on the 5th March, 2010, the Commission observed that the callous, insensible and heartless act of that TTE, Navneet Mishra, has made Master Samar Singh disabled for life. Keeping in view the life long misery of the victim, the Commission recommended that in addition to paying the monetary relief amount, the Railway Board shall arrange to provide artificial limbs to the victim at its own expenses.

As the child is minor, the amount for monetary relief shall be deposited in his name in a fixed deposit in a nationalized bank with a facility to withdraw interest accrued thereon every month. The Commission has directed the Secretary, Railway Board to submit compliance report along with the proof of payment within six weeks.

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