Judge Threatens Contempt Action Against Railways Officer Over Bedbugs in VIP Room
A Maharashtra judicial magistrate has issued a show cause notice to a railways officer for failing to replace bedbug-infested sofas in the VIP room at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station.
A judicial magistrate (railways) in Maharashtra has issued a show cause notice to a senior railways officer, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for failing to act on directions to replace bedbug-infested sofas in the VIP room at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Railway Station.
The matter dates back to May, when the magistrate wrote to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Nanded Division, complaining about bedbugs on the sofas in the VIP room. The officer was directed to replace the existing sofas and carry out pest control in the room.
According to the notice, those directions had still not been complied with as of September 19. The existing sofas continued to harbour bedbugs, and the notice described the situation as a "disgusting position" for High Court judges to sit in. It added that judges were choosing to wait in their cars instead of using the VIP room.
The notice pointed out that more than 15 High Court judges at the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court frequently travel by train and have to wait in the VIP room. It accused the railway authorities of neither taking satisfactory action nor replying to the communication issued on May 20.
The DRM, Nanded Division, has been asked to explain why action under the Contempt of Courts Act should not be taken for non-compliance with the earlier directions. The officer has been directed to appear personally before the court on September 30, 2026. The notice warns that failure to follow the directions will lead to further proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act.
A copy of the notice has been sent to the General Manager, South Central Railway. The RPF Inspector at Aurangabad has been directed to serve the notice and submit a report.