'Name & Shame Them': Men Spotted Wearing Stolen Western Railway Bedsheets As Shawls, Video Sparks Debate

A video showing three men allegedly wearing Indian Railways bedsheets as shawls in a market has triggered a heated discussion on social media. The white linen, visibly marked with “Western Railway”, led many users to question how railway bedding meant for passengers ended up being used in public.

The video was shared on X by Gems of Railway, which claimed that the bedsheets had been stolen from a Western Railway train. The footage quickly drew attention, with social media users debating railway property theft, civic sense and the possible misuse of passenger amenities.

Over 1.27 crore bedroll items reportedly stolen

The post also referred to RTI data compiled from different railway divisions. According to the figures cited, more than 1.27 crore bedroll-related items were reported stolen between January 2022 and May 2026.

The reported losses included around 46.54 lakh face towels, 41.13 lakh bedsheets, 23.59 lakh pillow covers, 12.95 lakh blankets and 2.76 lakh pillows. The cumulative value of the reported losses was claimed to be over ₹104.51 crore.

“Over ₹104 crore of railway property lost, and some of it apparently ends up being used as everyday clothing,” the post said.

Social media users divided

The incident prompted strong reactions, with several users criticising the alleged use of railway property outside trains.

“For civic sense problem, We need strict punishments, including caning, like Singapore. Indian Railways paradise for this people,” one user commented.

Another person, however, questioned the criticism and said the men should not be targeted online.

“I don't see a problem if people take some sheets for covering themselves in rain, gov has enough of our tax money to buy sheets, stop taking videos without permission and haras them online for your content, idiots like you have no right to morally educate because you think its wrong.”

Another user wrote, “These kinds of people have no civic sense.”

Questions raised over railway supply chain

Some commenters also suggested that the focus should not only be on passengers or individuals allegedly taking railway linen. One user urged authorities to examine how such items leave the railway system in the first place.

“Check the contractor also. What if they are stealing bedsheets and reporting passenger's name.”

Others suggested that Indian Railways could use more prominent markings on its linen so that stolen or misplaced items are easier to identify.

“Maybe Indian railways should print in Bold saying ‘This belongs to the Indian Railways, if you see anyone wearing this or using this outside the train, they are theives’,” one comment read.

Another user simply said, “Name and shame them.”

The video has once again brought attention to the larger issue of railway property going missing, while the contrasting reactions show how social media users remain divided over accountability, public property and the ethics of filming people in public.