Railway Compensation Reaches Widow After 23-Year Wait, CJ Surya Kant Hails 'Smile of a Job Well Done'

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In a heartwarming turn of events, the Supreme Court of India has ensured that a widow receives long-overdue compensation for her husband's tragic death in a 2002 train accident. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, expressed satisfaction on Thursday, stating that the 'smile on a poor person's face is what we want to earn, nothing else.' The compensation of ₹8.92 lakh was paid to Sanyokta Devi, whose husband Vijay Singh died instantly after accidentally falling from a running train in 2002. Devi's struggle for justice spanned over two decades, with her claim for compensation being rejected by the Railway Claims Tribunal and the Patna High Court. The Supreme Court intervened in 2023, rejecting the reasoning behind the earlier rejections and ordering the Railways to pay Devi ₹4 lakh with six percent interest per annum. However, the process was hindered by Devi's change of address and the passing away of her local counsel. The Railways, with the assistance of the local police and advocate Fauzia Shakil, who represented Devi pro bono, finally managed to trace Devi and pay her the compensation. CJI Surya Kant commended the efforts of the Railways and the lawyer, saying, 'This young lawyer ensured that she gets the compensation after 23 years. We had to trace her with the help of local police and administration, and finally, the railways managed to pay her.' The Railways' affidavit stated that they had sent a staff member to collect Devi's documents, including her PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, and bank mandate particulars, with the help of the local police station. After receiving the necessary documents, the authorities remitted the compensation amount to her bank account on November 13. This case highlights the importance of perseverance and the role of the judiciary in ensuring that justice is served, even after years of struggle.