What started as a petty dispute over a ₹15 bus ticket has become a 14-month legal battle, with a passenger finally winning a favourable verdict against KSRTC. Tumakuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered KSRTC to pay ₹11,485 to the passenger for deficiency in service on account of not returning change (₹485).
The passenger had paid a ₹500 currency note for a ticket worth only ₹15, but the bus conductor allegedly wrote the pending amount on the back of the ticket instead of returning the money. What was initially just a petty issue turned into a consumer rights dispute when repeated requests for a refund were allegedly not accepted.
The complainant, 32-year-old Manjunath R.T., approached the Tumakuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission against KSRTC for deficiency in service and unfair trade practices on August 12 this year when he was travelling from Guligenahalli to Sira in a KSRTC bus. He had purchased a ticket for ₹15 and handed over a note of ₹500 to the conductor, but since there was not enough change, he wrote the pending amount of ₹485 on the reverse side of the ticket, but the passenger could not collect the money before getting off the bus.
The problem started when the bus reached Sira bus stand. The KSRTC inspection officials checked the tickets during the journey. Manjunath was in a hurry to catch another bus going towards Chitradurga. In his rush, he allegedly forgot to collect ₹485 from the conductor and got off the bus.
Later, when he realised his mistake, he approached the transport corporation for a refund. He gave a written complaint on 16 August 2025 along with the ticket to KSRTC demanding the money back. Though the corporation reportedly acknowledged receipt of the request, it did not refund the amount.
After several unsuccessful attempts to recover the money, Manjunath decided to go for legal action. He reportedly sent a legal notice to KSRTC on September 10, 2025, but when that also did not work, he went to the Tumakuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on September 30, 2025 and in his complaint sought ₹485 back along with interest; Rs 1 lakh compensation for mental agony; Rs 25,000 for financial loss; Rs 50,000 towards litigation expenses and ₹3,001 towards legal notice charges.
During the hearing, KSRTC allegedly denied the passenger’s claims and asked whether he had travelled on the bus or not. It also questioned the authenticity of the ticket produced as evidence. It said the complaint was false and filed only to help the conductor, whereas the passenger relied on the original ticket and other evidence to prove his claim.
One of the important developments in the case was the inspection report on the conductor. Officials had reportedly found an additional ₹456 with him during a bus inspection, and disciplinary action was taken against him. KSRTC told the commission that the amount was deposited with the depot, but the commission said that he admitted to receiving ₹500 for a ₹15 ticket and wrote the remaining ₹485 on the back of the ticket also. Electronic records maintained by the corporation also reportedly showed that the ticket was sold on 12 August 2025.
The consumer commission said KSRTC had not proved that the ticket was fake or that it was issued to another passenger. It could not deny a passenger’s legitimate consumer rights on account of internal accounting discrepancies or disciplinary action against employees. As the conductor was in official capacity when the incident occurred, he was held responsible for his act by the corporation, but the commission dismissed the complaint against him individually as personal liability could not be established in the matter.
In its order dated October 12, the commission (G.T Vijayalakshmi, Niveditha Ravish and Kumar N) ruled in favour of Manjunath and directed KSRTC to refund pending ₹485 with annual interest at 9 per cent from September 30, 2025 till the payment date; pay compensation for mental agony of Rs 5,000 and litigation expenses of Rs 6,000 (total amount including interest is ₹11,485).
The commission also directed KSRTC to make the payment within 45 days of receiving/ becoming aware of the order. The verdict underscores that public transport corporations are responsible for making sure passengers get change and do not suffer because employees were negligent or internal administrative problems existed.
It also reminds us that even a small financial dispute can be fought through consumer protection mechanisms when repeated requests for resolution fail. Passengers who face such problems can contact the National Consumer Helpline at 1915. Karnataka consumers can contact the state consumer helpline at 1800-425-9339. Manjunath’s 14-month legal battle shows how important it is to preserve bus tickets, receipts and other supporting evidence when complaining against public service providers.
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