New Delhi : The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Railway Department regarding the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which claimed 18 lives and injured 15 others. During a hearing on Wednesday (February 19), the court questioned why excessive tickets were issued, leading to overcrowding, and directed the Railway Board to devise preventive measures.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela instructed railway officials to submit a detailed affidavit on the steps taken to address overcrowding. The court also mandated the full enforcement of the Railway Act, particularly Section 57, which pertains to passenger safety. The petitioner highlighted the absence of a systematic mechanism in Indian Railways to estimate crowd levels at stations.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the court ordered senior Railway Board officials to review the issue at the highest level and submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing their decisions. The next hearing is scheduled for March 26.
