Representative image. |Picture source: Hindu
A motorcycle pilot, who was eager to bring his pregnant wife to labor pains, was refused departure by the Southern Railway.
Bibin Joseph took a commodity train in Mangaluru, Palghat department on the evening of April 8 when he received SOS from his pregnant wife suffering from labor pain, according to railway sources. However, he continued running the train for about three hours until he reached his destination and completed his duties.
After handing over the locomotive to the relevant authorities, he informed the crew of his wife about the condition and made a leave request. Because he is on duty, his phone is in off mode. Sources said he only noticed his wife trying to contact him since the evening at the scheduled stop.
Mr. Joseph took the next train to him in Tiruvalla, Kerala, about 390 km from the hotel. His wife was taken to a private hospital and she gave birth to a baby boy the next morning.
As he celebrated a new member of his family, Mr. Joseph received a message saying he was marked as absenteeism. Sources said there was no reason to point out why his leave was denied.
Sources say absence means not only a loss of salary, but also means employees should face serious disciplinary measures that affect their career prospects.
The All India Locomotive Runners Association condemned the refusal of the holiday to Mr. Joseph and accused the chief crewman Mangaluru.
The association sought intervention from the general manager of Southern Railways, saying there was no reason to refuse leave, which was a legal privilege for employees when families needed immediate medical care.
The association said officials were well aware of the situation where the motorcycle pilot asked for a leave, and officials rejected his defense and marked that he had been under tariffs since April 9.
A Southern Railway spokesperson could not be contacted for comment on this issue.
publishing – April 12, 2025 at 07:47 am IST
