THE RAILWAYS ACT, 1989 – Chapter IV – Section 15

Payment of Amount for Damage or Loss

15. (1) No suit shall lie against a railway administration to recover any amount for any damage or loss caused in the exercise of the powers conferred by any of the foregoing provisions of this chapter.

(2) A railway administration shall pay or tender payment for any damage or loss caused in the exercise of the powers conferred by any of the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, and in case of a dispute as to the efficiency of any amount so paid or tendered or as to the persons entitled to receive the amount, it shall immediately after the dispute for the decision of the District Judge of the district and his decision thereon shall be final;
Provided that where the railway administration fails to make a reference within sixty days from the date of commencement of the dispute, the District Judge may, on an application made to him by the person concerned, direct the railway administration to refer the dispute for his decision.

(3) The reference under sub-section (2) shall be treated as an appeal under section 96 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and shall be disposed of accordingly.

(4) Where any amount has been paid as required by sub-section (2), the railway administration shall, notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, be discharge from all liabilities to any person whatsoever in respect of any amount so paid.

Forward reference⇒Section 16