Court Rules for Family After Worker Dies in 1-Minute Transfer

When Amalkumar Dey arrived at Ahmedabad railway station in June 2024, he had exactly one minute to get from Platform 3 to Platform 4 to catch his connecting train to Gandhidham. He didn't make it.

The migrant worker from West Bengal fell between the moving train and the platform during the rushed transfer. He died instantly.

Indian Railways initially refused to compensate Dey's family, arguing he wasn't a legitimate passenger because he hadn't bought a ticket for the second train yet. They pointed to CCTV footage showing him boarding a moving train as proof he broke the rules.

But the Gujarat High Court saw something different in that footage. They saw a passenger trying to navigate an impossible situation.

Justice JC Doshi ruled last week that the one-minute gap between trains made it unreasonable to expect Dey to follow normal ticketing procedures. The court noted he had already purchased a valid ticket for the first leg of his journey from Shalimar, proving his intent to travel legitimately.

The Railway Claims Tribunal had already awarded Dey's family 8 lakh rupees (about $9,500 USD) in August 2025. When Railways appealed, the High Court upheld that decision.

Why This Inspires

This ruling does more than help one grieving family. It sets a precedent that technical loopholes can't override basic fairness in the legal system.

The court cited Supreme Court principles stating that welfare laws like the Railways Act should prioritize substance over paperwork. A missing ticket doesn't erase the reality of what happened or the responsibility involved.

For millions of migrant workers who navigate India's massive railway system daily, often under tight timelines and stressful conditions, this decision acknowledges the human reality behind the rules. It recognizes that sometimes people face impossible choices through no fault of their own.

The judgment specifically noted that "mere technical irregularities or lapses in procedure should not defeat a legitimate claim." In other words, compassion and common sense still matter in the courts.

This victory won't bring Amalkumar Dey back to his family, but it ensures they receive the support they deserve and reminds institutions that people come before paperwork.