Ensure Periodic Audit, Maintain Highest Standards Of Safety And Security At Railway Stations Across Country: Delhi High Court To Union Govt

The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Union Government to ensure “highest standards” of safety and security at all railway stations across the country after conducting a periodic audit of the situation.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Saurabh Banerjee disposed of a public interest litigation moved by one Kush Kalra raising concerns in respect of safety measures at the railway stations in the country.

The PIL also highlighted the lack of anti collusion and alcohol checking devices, emergency telephones, CCTV cameras, metal detector doors and hand held metal detectors.

The court took note of the affidavits filed by the Union Government and said that it reveals that the Indian Railways has installed CCTV Cameras, luggage scanning devices, door fame metal detectors, hand held metal detector, body cameras and dogs (Sniffer and Tracker), automatic train protection system etc. at the railway stations to ensure safety and security of passengers.

“…the Respondents shall ensure that there is a periodic audit in respect of the safety and security measures in the Indian Railways and after conducting periodic audit and assessing the situation, the Government of India shall ensure maintenance of highest standards of safety and security at Railway Stations all over the country,” the court said.

It added that the safety and security of passengers is of “paramount importance” to the Railways which has been taking all necessary safeguards to ensure that there is no breach in respect of safety and security.

“Therefore, in light of the affidavits filed by the Union of India, nothing more is required and, thus, the present PIL stands disposed of,” the court said.

Title: KUSH KALRA v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 629

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