The Kerala State Human Rights Commission on Friday initiated a suo motu case following reports that expired cold drinks were served to passengers aboard the Vande Bharat Express from Mangaluru to Thiruvananthapuram.
According to a statement issued by the commission, a notice has been sent to the Divisional Railway Manager in Palakkad, seeking an investigation and a detailed report within 15 days. The case will be heard on June 26 at the Government Guest House in Kozhikode, the statement added. The action comes in response to local media reports alleging that passengers were served cold drink bottles with expiry dates already past. The bottles were reportedly manufactured on September 25, 2024, and expired on March 24, 2025.
Passengers reportedly raised objections upon noticing the expiry date, but catering staff allegedly ignored the complaints, according to the reports. No official response from railway authorities has been issued so far. Judicial Member K Baijunath of the Kerala Human Rights Commission ordered the inquiry, citing potential violations of passenger rights and food safety norms. The panel said it viewed the matter seriously, particularly given the rising concerns around hygiene and consumer safety on premium train services like the Vande Bharat.
The commission’s intervention signals an urgent call for accountability in railway catering practices, especially on long-distance express trains with high passenger footfall. The outcome of the probe could have implications for contractors responsible for food services across the Indian Railways network.
