Court Orders Rs 1 Crore Compensation: Thomas Cook Negligence Exposed

News Today: Travel firm asked to compensate Indian Tourist for accident in Sri Lanka

The Delhi Consumer Commission has directed travel company Thomas Cook to compensate Yogesh Saigal with Rs 1 crore for the tragic loss of his family members in a road accident in Sri Lanka. The Court considered the immense mental and physical trauma faced by Mr. Saigal before passing the verdict.

On December 23, 2019, the vehicle carrying Saigal’s family collided with a container truck in Colombo, resulting in the immediate deaths of his wife, son, and father-in-law. Saigal sustained severe injuries, including multiple fractures, while his daughter, Aishwarya, also suffered physical trauma.

The Court found that Thomas Cook had negligently assigned another company, Red Apple Travel, to manage the customer’s arrangements in Sri Lanka. This critical information was only revealed to Saigal 36 hours before the journey, leaving the family no option but to proceed or risk forfeiting the entire amount paid.

Following the accident, Saigal issued a letter of demand on February 24, 2021, seeking Rs 8.99 crore in damages for negligence, deficiency in services, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. Saigal argued that Thomas Cook had failed to assign safe and reliable contractors for the tour, which ultimately led to the tragic incident.

The Court held both Thomas Cook and Red Apple Travel accountable for the negligence that resulted in the fatal accident. This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the travel industry to ensure the safety and well-being of customers.