Employee's Casual Phone Call Leads to Rs 3 Crore Loss for Railways

New Delhi: In an unusual and costly incident, a seemingly trivial phone call during a station master’s work shift has led to a staggering Rs 3 crore loss for the Indian Railways. Media reports indicate that the lapse occurred when the station master, distracted by a heated conversation with his wife, inadvertently authorized a train to enter a restricted, Naxal-affected area, resulting in the financial setback.

The incident unfolded when the station master, during a phone call with his wife, casually said “OK” in response to a query. His comment, meant to end the conversation, was misconstrued by a loco pilot as a signal to dispatch a goods train on a restricted route. Although no accident occurred, the violation of night-time operational restrictions triggered penalties amounting to Rs 3 crore.

The station master, who lives in Visakhapatnam, has been identified as the individual responsible for the critical error. His wife, originally from Durg, had been grappling with marital issues, including unresolved emotional attachment to a previous partner. Despite repeated attempts to reassure her husband, the wife continued to engage in conversations with her ex, causing tension in their relationship.

On the night of the incident, the station master, frustrated by the ongoing argument, attempted to end the phone call quickly with a casual “OK.” Unfortunately, his microphone remained active, and a colleague in the control room heard only the word “OK,” mistaking it for an order to clear the goods train. This simple miscommunication led to the train entering a restricted zone, violating operational protocols and resulting in a financial loss for the Railways.

Following the incident, the Railways swiftly suspended the station master for his lapse in judgment. However, the suspension exacerbated his already fragile personal life. According to court records, the station master, who had been married to his wife since October 12, 2011, filed for divorce, citing emotional and mental distress caused by the ongoing marital conflict.

In response, the wife filed a counter-complaint under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, alleging cruelty and harassment. She accused her husband and his family members, including his elderly father, elder brother, sister-in-law, and maternal uncle, of subjecting her to mistreatment. Fearing for her safety, she sought a transfer of the case to Durg, which was granted by the Supreme Court after her claims of life threats.

The ongoing legal battle continued as the Durg family court rejected the station master’s divorce petition. Undeterred, the man appealed the decision to the Chhattisgarh High Court, where the bench ruled in his favor. The court dismissed his wife’s allegations of infidelity, dowry demands, and cruelty, describing them as “baseless.” In its judgment, the High Court concluded that the wife’s persistent phone arguments and false accusations amounted to “mental cruelty,” ultimately granting the station master a divorce.