Railways Authorities Cannot Deboard Valid Ticket Holders for Attending Protests : Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has ruled that railway authorities cannot deboard passengers with valid tickets simply because they are travelling to attend or conduct a protest.

Justice B. Pugalendhi clarified that under the Railways Act, 1989, deboarding is permitted only in limited circumstances, such as travelling without a ticket, having an infectious disease, or being in unauthorised areas.

The verdict came in a petition by farmer-leader P. Ayyakannu, who claimed he and fellow protesters were removed from a train despite holding valid tickets. 

The Court upheld that freedom of travel and protest under Article 19 must be respected, subject to lawful conduct.

[P Ayyakannu v. Union of India]