Man gets Rs 25,000 for rat bite on train

District Consumer Forum president R V Dheenadayalan and member S Rajalakshmi awarded the compensation to passenger Venkatachalam for the mental agony suffered by him.

They directed the Railways to pay an additional Rs 2,000 for medical expenses incurred by him and Rs 5,000 toward cost of the litigation.

The Railways should pay the amount within three months, failing which the compensation would carry 9 per cent interest, the forum said in its order.

Venkatachalam submitted that he was travelling to Chennai by the train on August 8, 2014 when he was bitten by rat. He said the travelling ticket examiner was indifferent when he showed him the injury and the bleeding caused by the rat-bite. Moreover, he was not even provided first aid, he added.

The TTE suggested that treatment could be given only at the next station. Finally, the passenger got down at Egmore station in Chennai and lodged a complaint, following which, he visited a private hospital for treatment. Later, he was shifted to the government hospital for further treatment.

Thereafter, he sought compensation for the mental agony he suffered due to the rat-bite in the train.