The Supreme Court of India has ruled that the railways will be liable to pay compensation to passengers in case of death or injury while boarding or de-boarding trains.

The railways cannot deny such claims citing negligence on the part of passengers, added the SC.

The apex court on Wednesday termed death or injury while boarding or de-boarding a train an untoward incident which entitles a passenger to compensation, and will not be considered his/her negligence.

The court also clarified that mere presence of a body on the railway premises would not be conclusive to hold that the injured or deceased was a bona fide passenger for seeking compensation. However, the absence of ticket will not negate the compensation and providing requisite documents shall enable an individual to apply for the same.

The judgment comes after an appeal was filed by the centre, which had approached the apex court against Patna High Court order awarding a compensation of four lakh rupees to the wife of a person who fell down from a train due to rush of passengers and died on the spot in 2002.