RPF registered 1,676 railway ticket touting cases in five years: RTI

The RPF seized Journey-cum-Reservation (JCR) tickets worth Rs 88.49 lakh and e-tickets worth more than Rs 9.62 crore. Representational Pic/File

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) registered 1,676 cases of illegal railway ticket touting between 2022 and June 2026, according to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The data was secured by Mumbai-based RTI activist Anil Galgali from the Central Railway Headquarters in Mumbai.

The details show that railway tickets worth several crores of rupees were seized during the anti-touting operations.

Cases increased before falling in 2025

According to the RTI reply, the RPF registered:

- 309 cases in 2022

- 399 cases in 2023

- 502 cases in 2024 (the highest during the five-year period)

- 356 cases in 2025

- 110 cases up to June 2026

The figures indicate that action against ticket touting remained consistent over the years, with the highest number of cases recorded in 2024.

Tickets worth crores seized

The RPF seized Journey-cum-Reservation (JCR) tickets worth Rs 88.49 lakh, e-tickets worth more than Rs 9.62 crore

The seizures were made during operations targeting illegal ticket touts and unauthorised agents across the Central Railway network.

Hundreds of touts and agents arrested

The RTI data also reveals significant arrests during the crackdown.

Authorities arrested:

- 2022: 318 touts and 52 agents

- 2023: 356 touts and 141 agents

- 2024: 411 touts and 204 agents

- 2025: 429 touts and 13 agents

- Up to July 2026: 127 touts

No unauthorised agents have been arrested so far in 2026, according to the information provided.

Railway employees also booked

The RTI reply shows that a small number of railway employees were also found involved in ticket touting cases.

One railway employee was arrested in 2022, two in 2023 and four in 2024. No railway employee was arrested in either 2025 or 2026.

Activist urges passengers to use authorised booking channels

RTI activist Anil Galgali said the figures demonstrate the RPF's continued efforts to tackle illegal railway ticket touting.

He appealed to passengers to purchase tickets only through authorised booking channels and avoid buying tickets from touts or unauthorised agents, saying public cooperation would help curb the illegal trade.