Mumbai Train Shooting: Railway Claims Tribunal Orders Compensation of Rs 8 Lakh to Victim's Family
More than three years after a fatal shooting on a Mumbai express train, the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) has ordered Western Railway to pay Rs 8 lakh as compensation to the wife of one of the victims. The order, made available in May 2025, provides civil redress for the family affected by the incident.
The incident occurred in July 2023 when a constable of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) allegedly opened fire on a moving train, killing his senior colleague and three passengers. The constable was subsequently arrested and criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Farida Bhanpurwala, the wife of 62-year-old Abdul Kadar Bhanpurwala, one of the deceased passengers, approached the tribunal in 2024 seeking compensation under the Railways Act. During the hearing, Western Railway informed the tribunal that it would not contest the occurrence of the incident or the fact that Abdul Kadar Bhanpurwala was a bonafide passenger. Based on this, the tribunal awarded compensation of Rs 8 lakh in April, with the final order released in May.
The Railway Claims Tribunal is a statutory body that adjudicates claims for compensation arising from railway accidents and untoward incidents. Under the Railways Act, dependents of passengers who die while travelling are entitled to compensation. In this case, the settlement was reached without contestation by the railway administration.
The compensation amount of Rs 8 lakh is standard for fatal cases under the relevant rules. The order directs Western Railway to pay the sum to the claimant within a stipulated period. This development highlights the legal recourse available to families of train victims beyond criminal trials.
The matter was initially referred to the Lok Adalat, a conciliation forum, in April, where the railway agreed not to contest the facts. Subsequently, the tribunal formally passed the order in May. As of now, it is unclear whether other families of the deceased have similarly approached the tribunal. The criminal case against the RPF constable continues in a separate court. Authorities have declined to comment further on the matter.
