Southern Railway claims that the privileged leave sought by Loco Pilot Bibin Thomas of Palgrats does not deny medical emergencies. |Picture source: Getty Images
Southern Railway claims that the privileged leave sought by Loco Pilot Bibin Thomas of Palgrats does not deny medical emergencies. However, official records show that his fake application specifically quoted his wife’s medical emergency and was indeed denied.
Citing the report “Loco Pilot, who marked his wife’s delivery as absent delivery Hindu On April 12, 2025, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) M. Mr Thomas applied for a five-day vacation through the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) from April 9 to 13, citing “personal reasons.” Due to limited priority of leave and a sharp shortage of assistant locomotive pilots in the warehouse, his request was rejected by the Chief Crew Controller (CCRC) at the junction of Mangalore.
On April 8, Mr Thomas sent an emergency message to the crew on duty, “no details were specified verbally and left the headquarters without formal approval,” the CPRO said.
As a result, he was marked as absent due to the lack of proper documentation. On April 12, Mr. Thomas filed a manual leave application over the same five-day period, noting that his wife was hospitalized for reasons related to pregnancy. Upon receipt, the CCRC immediately approved the leave and updated the crew management system (CMS) accordingly.
Improper marking
Mr Selva said it was normal to mark an absent employee leaving the headquarters without approval. In the case of Mr. Thomas, this situation is usually regularized in the case of valid representation. “We stress that the qualified false privileges of Bibin Thomas are not denying. The railway adheres to established procedures and has made appropriate considerations upon receipt of appropriate documents.”
Record says otherwise
However, contrary to the claims of the Southern Railway CPRO, the official records visited Hindu Although the employee clearly mentioned that his wife had been taken to the hospital, Mr Thomas’s leave application was rejected by the CCRC, as suggested by the doctor, although the employee clearly mentioned that his wife was taken to the hospital for delivery.
The employee has uploaded the request online on HRMS, providing specific details rather than making the request as claimed “verbally.”
In a handwritten letter to CCRC via appropriate channels the same day, he said his wife was taken to the hospital for medical treatment due to the emergency and sought five days off.
After the issue was tagged by the All India Locomotive Running Staff Association, it was also published in HinduSouthern Railway authorities contacted Mr Bibin and told him that his fake was approved. Days marked as absence will also be considered leave.
publishing – April 14, 2025, 9:24 pm IST
