Stampede case: Delhi HC questions Railways for delay in filing affidavit

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up Indian Railways for not submitting an affidavit in a matter related to the February 2025 stampede at the New Delhi railway station, which claimed the lives of 18 people.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia questioned why the authorities were “so lax” and if they were waiting for another incident to happen, as the affidavit was “not in sight” even though it had to be filed by March 26, 2025.

“Do not take the court for granted. We required you to file an affidavit. What did you do? Just to sail through the pressure at that moment when this petition was filed, a statement by the highest law officer of the country was made on behalf of the Railways. It has been a year, and you still have not been able to file that affidavit. What does this indicate? We do not appreciate this,” the Bench remarked.

The counsel for the railway authorities, however, sought more time from the Bench to file the affidavit. The counsel said that comprehensive steps, such as the creation of holding areas, have been taken.

“We are waiting for the successful implementation of [its measures during] the Magh Mela. My affidavit is ready…,” the counsel said.

The court granted the Railways four weeks to file details on overcrowding and crowd control and listed the matter for further hearing on February 25.

‘Gross mismanagement’

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) matter filed by the social organisation ‘Arth Vidhi’. The plea has claimed that the tragic incident on the night of February 15, 2025, has revealed “gross mismanagement” and the administration’s failure.

Following a suggestion by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the court had on February 19, 2025, asked the Railways to examine several issues, including the fixing of a maximum number of passengers, overcrowding and the sale of platform tickets at stations and file an affidavit indicating its decision.