RPF's 'Operation Uplabdh' Nabs 7 Ticket Touts in Nagpur Division Crackdown
With summer vacations, festivals, and wedding travel significantly increasing the demand for train tickets across India, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the South East Central Railway (SECR), Nagpur Division, has launched a decisive crackdown on illegal ticket trading. In a swift and coordinated four-day operation conducted between March 6 and 9, RPF teams successfully arrested seven ticket touts involved in the rampant black-marketing of e-tickets.
Intensive Drive Targets E-Ticket Fraud
The operation, codenamed 'Operation Uplabdh', was specifically designed to combat the widespread illegal trading and black-marketing of railway e-tickets, which exploits genuine passengers during peak travel seasons. Led by Divisional Security Commissioner Deep Chandra Arya and under the direct supervision of Inspector General and Principal Chief Security Commissioner Munawwar Khurshid, the RPF teams carried out intensive checks at multiple strategic locations across the Nagpur division and adjoining districts in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
During this rigorous drive, officers meticulously examined mobile phones, laptops, and computers, uncovering a systematic pattern of misuse. The investigation revealed that fraudsters were illicitly using IRCTC user IDs to fraudulently book tatkal and premium tatkal e-tickets, which were then immediately resold at inflated prices on the black market.
Detailed Arrests and Seizures
The operation yielded significant results with a series of arrests over the four days:
- March 6: Santosh Kakudiya was apprehended at an online services shop in Bhooma tehsil, found in possession of ten old reserved e-tickets with a total value of ₹10,686. On the same day, Rahul Vishwakarma was caught in Nainpur, Mandla district, with nine old e-tickets worth ₹4,630.
- March 7: Three arrests were made, including Mohd Shamim in Maharajpur, who had three current and four old e-tickets totaling over ₹10,000. Rohan Mehar was nabbed near Navegaon with 14 e-tickets valued at ₹42,088, along with a mobile phone worth ₹24,000. Additionally, an individual loitering suspiciously near the Rajnandgaon reservation counter was caught with 14 old, two current, and one cancelled e-tickets worth ₹17,000.
- March 8: Tanmay Jain, who operated an online ticketing service in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, was arrested after confessing to illegally booking tickets using his personal IRCTC ID. Despite not holding any authorized agent status, he charged passengers an extra ₹50 to ₹80 per ticket. Authorities seized 33 e-tickets worth ₹47,243 and a laptop valued at ₹30,000 from him.
- March 9: The final arrest saw Ajay Kawde apprehended in Gondia with 15 tatkal and premium tatkal e-tickets worth ₹75,299 and a mobile phone.
Legal Action and Public Appeal
All seven accused have been formally booked under Section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989, which deals with unauthorized ticket vending. The seized tickets and electronic devices have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further legal proceedings. The total value of the recovered items and illegal tickets runs into several lakhs of rupees, highlighting the organized and lucrative nature of this illicit racket.
In light of these developments, the RPF has issued a strong appeal to rail passengers and the general public. They urge citizens to promptly report any suspected touting activity to the nearest RPF post or the national railway helpline at 139, with an assurance of total confidentiality for all informants.
The ongoing 'Operation Uplabdh' underscores the RPF's unwavering resolve to safeguard the interests of genuine passengers and restore fairness and transparency in railway bookings, especially during high-demand periods like holidays and festivals. This proactive measure aims to ensure that travel remains accessible and equitable for all.
