Text of Section 155:
1. Unauthorised Occupation of Reserved Berth/Seat or Entry into Non-Reserved Compartment:
(a) If any passenger, having entered a compartment where no berth or seat has been reserved by the railway administration for his use, or
(b) If any passenger, having unauthorisedly occupied a berth or seat reserved by the railway administration for the use of another passenger,
Refuses to leave when required by a railway servant, the railway servant may remove the passenger with the help of others, and the passenger shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.
2. Resisting the Entry of Another Passenger into a Non-Reserved Compartment:
If any passenger resists the lawful entry of another passenger into a compartment not reserved for the use of the passenger resisting, he shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.
Explanation and Analysis of Section 155:
1. Unauthorised Occupation of Reserved Berth/Seat:
- This part of the section deals with situations where a passenger occupies a reserved seat or berth without proper authorization, either by entering a compartment where no reservation is in place for them or by occupying a reserved berth/seat that belongs to another passenger.
- If such a passenger refuses to vacate the seat/berth when requested by a railway servant, the servant has the authority to remove the passenger from the compartment or seat, using the help of others if necessary.
- Punishment: A fine of up to five hundred rupees is imposed for this violation, aimed at ensuring that reserved seats and compartments are respected and that other passengers’ rights are not infringed upon.
2. Resisting Entry into Non-Reserved Compartment:
- This section also addresses the issue of passengers who resist the lawful entry of another passenger into a compartment that is not reserved for the resisting passenger.
- Punishment: In such cases, the passenger who resists entry may be fined up to two hundred rupees. This is meant to maintain decorum and ensure that passengers allow others to enter compartments where no reservations exist.
Key Points for Consideration:
- Authority of Railway Servants: Railway servants are authorized to ensure that passengers abide by compartment and seat reservations, and they have the power to remove passengers who do not comply with these rules.
- Fine Amounts: The fine for unauthorised occupation of a reserved seat is higher (up to five hundred rupees) compared to resisting the entry of another passenger into a non-reserved compartment (two hundred rupees), reflecting the more significant disruption caused by seat/berth violations.
- Prevention of Disputes: The law aims to minimize conflicts and ensure smooth operations by discouraging actions that disrupt the reservation system and the proper allocation of compartments to passengers.
Conclusion:
Section 155 of the Railways Act, 1989 establishes penalties for unauthorised occupation of reserved compartments or seats and for resisting entry into non-reserved compartments. The section seeks to uphold the reservation system on trains, ensuring passengers respect both reserved and non-reserved spaces, while giving railway servants the authority to manage such violations through removal and fines.
