How A Farmer From Punjab Became The Owner Of A Shatabdi Express For 5 Minutes

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-08-16 07:28:43 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-16 17:12:55

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 0

---

Punjab farmer Ludhiendranath Makolya became the unofficial owner of the Shatabdi Express for a fleeting five minutes when he won a court case against the Ministry of Railways in India. Later, the court sold the luxury train to recover the unpaid dues of Rs. 2.8 crore.

For many Indians, owning a train or a government-owned hotel resembles owning a luxury car or villa. However, one farmer from Punjab's Ludhiana district made headlines for owning a luxury train, the Shatabdi Express, for five minutes. The unusual happened when the farmer, Ludhiendranath Makolya, won a court case against the Ministry of Railways.

The farmer had provided food to the passengers of the Shatabdi Express from 1998 to 2017. The Ministry of Railways owed him Rs. 2.8 crore in unpaid dues. When the court failed to expedite the case, the District and Sessions Judge SV Verma decided to assist the farmer in recovering the dues.

On June 6, 2022, Judge Verma ordered the seizure and sale of the Ludhiana railway station office, which fetched Rs. 82 lakh. Still, the amount was less than the owed money. Subsequently, the court ordered the seizure and sale of the Shatabdi Express, which was parked at the Ludhiana station. The farmer legally owned the luxury train for five minutes before it was returned to the railways.

Speaking to the media, the farmer's lawyer, Rakesh Gandhi, said that they were tired of urging the Railways to clear the pending bills. The lawyer added that they had no other option but to request the court to seize the property of the Railways to recover the dues.

This unusual incident highlights the extent to which courts in India sometimes go to ensure speedy justice to common citizens. Recall the farmer who became the de facto owner of a luxury train for a few minutes!

Go!