Mumbai Crime: Vigilance Team Busts HO Quota Scam On 12322 Howrah Mail; Touts Caught With Fake Railway Stamps And IDs

Mumbai: In a significant breakthrough against railway ticketing fraud, a vigilance team conducted a surprise check onboard Train No. 12322 Mumbai Howrah Mail on 1st March 2025, based on credible source information about the misuse of the HO ( Head Quarter) quota by touts using fake signatures and stamps of railway officials.

The operation began when the vigilance team boarded the train at Kalyan station and proceeded to coach S2, where six passengers were found occupying berths 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, and 27, all booked under the HO quota.

Upon detailed verification, it was discovered that one of the passengers was traveling under another person's name and was accordingly charged under railway rules. The remaining five passengers were found in possession of valid ID proofs matching their ticket details.

Further inquiry revealed that all six passengers had paid extra money to a tout operating from CSMT station, who assured them confirmed tickets through the HO quota. The vigilance team seized all six tickets for further examination and recorded statements from the passengers.

Acting on the information provided, the team tracked down the alleged tout Ravindra Kumar Sahu on 3rd April, who was found working in the guard canteen at CSMT as a tea vendor, located on the fourth floor of the Traffic Accounts building. A raid on his premises led to the recovery of rubber stamps belonging to four different railway officers from various departments.

During interrogation, Sahu confessed to his guilt and admitted that he had created fake request letters of several senior officers said an official. "He personally filled in all the ticket details, including PNR numbers, stamped them with counterfeit officer seals, and dropped them into the emergency quota allotment box at the DRM Office. He admitted to running an illegal ticketing operation, offering confirmed reservations through the HO quota in exchange for money" further added official.

Based on the evidence and his confession, Sahu was handed over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at CSMT for further legal action under the provisions of the Railway Act.