Southern Railway says loco pilot was not denied leave, records show otherwise -OxBig News Network

Southern Railway has claimed that the privilege leave sought by loco pilot Bibin Thomas of Mangalore depot in Palghat Division for a medical emergency was not denied. 
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Southern Railway has claimed that the privilege leave sought by loco pilot Bibin Thomas of Mangalore depot in Palghat Division for a medical emergency was not denied. However, official records revealed his leave application specifically citing the medical emergency of his wife, was indeed rejected. 

Citing the report ‘Loco pilot who rushed for his wife’s delivery marked absent’ published in The Hindu on April 12, 2025, Southern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) M. Senthamil Selvan said Mr. Thomas had applied for five days’ leave through the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) from April 9 to 13 citing “personal reasons”. Due to limited leave priority and an acute shortage of Assistant Loco Pilots at the depot, his request was declined by the Chief Crew Controller (CCRC), Mangalore Junction.

On April 8, Mr. Thomas sent an emergency message to the Crew Controller on duty “verbally without specifying any details and left the headquarters without formal approval,” the CPRO said.

As a result, he was marked absent due to lack of proper documentation. On April 12, Mr. Thomas submitted a manual leave application for the same five-day period, stating that his wife was hospitalised for pregnancy-related reasons. Upon receipt, the CCRC promptly sanctioned the leave and updated the Crew Management System (CMS) accordingly.

Marking absent normal 

Mr. Selvan said marking an employee absent for leaving headquarters without approval was a normal practice. Such instances were typically regularised upon valid representation as done in the case of Mr. Thomas. “We emphasise that there was no denial of Mr. Bibin Thomas’s eligible leave privileges. The Railways adhered to established procedures and extended due consideration upon receiving proper documentation,” he said. 

Records speak otherwise

However, contrary to the claims of the Southern Railway CPRO, official records accessed by The Hindu revealed the leave application of Mr. Thomas dated April 8 was rejected by the CCRC despite the employee clearly mentioning that his wife had been admitted to the hospital for delivery ahead of the expected date of delivery as advised by the doctor. 

The employee had uploaded the request online in the HRMS giving specific details and not made the request “verbally” as claimed. 

In a hand-written letter addressed to the CCRC given through the proper channel on the same day, he stated that his wife was admitted to the hospital due to a medical emergency and sought leave for five days. 

After the issue was flagged by the All India Loco Running Staff Association and also published in The Hindu, Southern Railway authorities got in touch with Mr. Bibin and informed him that his leave was sanctioned. The days marked as absent from duty would also be treated as leave.