Power to refuse to carry persons suffering from infectious or contagious diseases
Section 56 of the Railways Act, 1989 deals with power to refuse to carry persons suffering from infectious or contagious diseases. A person suffering from such infectious or contagious diseases, as may be prescribed, shall not enter or remain in any carriage on a railway or travel in a train without the permission of a railway servant authorised in this behalf. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1990.
(1) A person suffering from such infectious or contagious diseases, as may be prescribed, shall not enter or remain in any carriage on a railway or travel in a train without the permission of a railway servant authorised in this behalf.
(2) The railway servant giving permission under sub-section (1), shall arrange for the separation of the person suffering from such disease from other persons in the train and such person shall be carried in the train subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed.
(3) Any person who enters or remains in any carriage or travels in a train without permission as required under sub-section (1) or in contravention of any condition prescribed under sub-section (2), such person and a person accompanying him shall be liable to the forfeiture of their passes or tickets and removal from railway by any railway servant.
Section 56, The Railways Act, 1989 (Act 24 of 1989).
Questions about Section 56
What does Section 56 of the Railways Act deal with?
Section 56 of the Railways Act is headed "Power to refuse to carry persons suffering from infectious or contagious diseases". A person suffering from such infectious or contagious diseases, as may be prescribed, shall not enter or remain in any carriage on a railway or travel in a train without the permission of a railway servant authorised in this behalf.
How do I find court cases under Section 56 of the Railways Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Railways Act 1989 56, section 56 Railways Act 1989, section 56 of the Railways Act. People searching for it also type railway act 56. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 56 of the Railways Act come into force?
Section 56 of the Railways Act, cited as Railways Act 1989 56, came into force on 01 Jul 1990, having been enacted on 03 Jun 1989. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions1289 words
- 90. Disposal of unremoved goods at notified stations852 words
- 20F. Determination of amount payable as compensation652 words
- 89. Power to declare notified stations529 words
- 138. Levy of excess charge and fare for travelling without proper pass or ticket or beyond authorised distance492 words
- 16. Accommodation works485 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 19 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.