The northern railway has been directed by the Delhi State Consumer Commission to pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 for wrongfully penalising a passenger travelling with a wait-listed ticket.

The Commission also imposed a cost of Rs 5,000 on the railway for filing a "frivolous" appeal against the lower forum's decision.

The train superintendent (TSI), who initially permitted the passenger to board the train as four vacant seats were available with him, did not confirm the wait-list ticket and instead imposed penalty on him.

"The Northern Railway is vicariously liable for misconduct of TSI Ramesh Kumar and hence we find no fault with the impugned order whereby they have been directed to refund the penalty imposed upon the passenger and also to pay compensation of Rs 50,000 for the harassment and mental agony caused to him," the Commission bench headed by Justice B A Zaidi said.