Railway – Prosecution of male passengers travelling in female compartment

Writ Petition filed by the practicing Advocate in the Calcutta High Court on important issue of male passengers boarding and travelling unauthorisedly in the compartments reserved for female passengers.

The petitioner – lady Advocate pointed out various instances and also untoward incidents.

Salutary directions of the Calcutta High Court to increase frequency of conducting drives by RPF so that this menace of travelling male passengers in reserved female railway compartments can be eliminated.   In addition, announcements in the public address system in all railway stations that the male passengers travel in compartments reserved for female passengers will be prosecuted.

162. Entering carriage or other place reserved for females.—

If a male person knowing or having reason to believe that a carriage, compartment, berth or seat in a train or room or other place is reserved by a railway administration for the exclusive use of females, without lawful excuse,—

(a) enters such carriage, compartment, room or other place, or having entered such carriage, compartment, room or place, remains therein; or

(b) occupies any such berth or seat having been required by any railway servant to vacate it, he shall, in addition to being liable to forfeiture of his pass or ticket, be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees and may also be removed by any railway servant.

Order dated 4.7.2024 of the Calcutta High Court in WPA (P) No.259 of 2024 – Piyeta Bhattacharjee  Vs. Union of India and others