The Delhi High Court has expressed strong displeasure with the railway authorities for failing to respond to a Public Interest Litigation concerning the stampede that took place at New Delhi Railway Station in February 2025. The bench, comprising the Chief Justice and another judge, questioned why the Railways had not filed a response affidavit despite nearly a year having passed since the PIL was filed. The court noted that it had earlier directed the Railways to file a detailed response by March of the previous year outlining decisions taken by the Railway Board in the aftermath of the incident, but observed that no such affidavit had been filed to date.
During the hearing, counsel for the Railways informed the court that various steps had been taken since the incident, including measures to address overcrowding and revisions to reserved and unreserved ticket pricing, and assured the court that a comprehensive affidavit detailing these steps would be filed within four weeks. A senior IRTS officer present during the proceedings also confirmed that an updated affidavit would be submitted subsequently. The court’s remarks reflected frustration over the delay, with the Chief Justice questioning whether the authorities were waiting for another serious incident to occur before acting, and admonishing the Railways for taking the matter lightly despite earlier commitments made on behalf of the Railway Board.
The PIL itself alleges ineffective implementation of statutory provisions under the Railways Act, including those requiring the Railway Administration to fix and display the maximum number of passengers permitted in each compartment and penal provisions concerning unauthorised entry into railway premises. The court granted additional time to the Railways to file a proper reply, emphasising the need for earnest compliance with its earlier directions and urging the authorities to treat the matter with seriousness.
The incident that gave rise to the PIL involved a crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station during a period of high passenger movement, in which multiple fatalities and injuries were reported as large numbers of people attempted to board trains. The High Court’s intervention underscores concern over administrative and safety responses by the Railways in the aftermath of that tragedy and seeks to ensure that appropriate measures and accountability are brought before the court through a timely official response.
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