Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Indian Railways provides bedsheets, blankets, pillows, and towels (linen) in AC coaches to ensure a comfortable journey for passengers. However, some passengers mistake this convenience for a “free gift” and pack them away in their bags.
A Right to Information (RTI) report has revealed highly shocking figures regarding this theft. According to the report, the Ranchi Railway Division ranks second in the country for linen theft, while the Bikaner Railway Division holds the top spot.
This figure of over 9.31 lakh items from the Ranchi Division is the second-largest loss recorded across all railway divisions in the country. Shreya Singh, the Senior DCM of the Ranchi Railway Division, shared that the maximum number of theft cases were observed in trains departing from Ranchi. The most heavily affected trains are– Ranchi-Purnia Express, Ranchi-Islampur Express, Garib Rath Express.
Together, these three trains account for approximately 48% of all registered theft cases in the division. This theft is not limited to Third AC (3AC) coaches. Even affluent passengers traveling in premium coaches like First AC (1st AC) are not holding back from stealing pillows, bedsheets, and towels.
The railway administration has emphasized that these acts of theft cost the national carrier crores of rupees every year. Stealing railway property is a grave criminal offense. Anyone caught stealing items from a train will be prosecuted under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act. Conviction under this act carries strict penalties, including heavy fines and jail time.
