The Indian Railways has suspended a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) after a viral video allegedly showed him offering a Vande Bharat Express ticket at an unofficial discounted rate inside a train coach.
The controversy surfaced after a clip shared on X captured the railway official allegedly negotiating a ticket arrangement with a passenger travelling to Varanasi. According to the video, the passenger informed the TTE that he was running late and had purchased a superfast train ticket.
In response, the TTE allegedly asked for Rs 380 to arrange a seat on the Vande Bharat Express. However, when the passenger asked for a receipt, the amount was reportedly increased to Rs 750, nearly double the earlier figure.
When the passenger approached the attendant, the latter allegedly refused to enter into any arrangement and directed him back to the TTE. At that moment, the train’s automatic doors reportedly closed, leaving the passenger recording the video and two other people travelling with him stranded at the station.
The railway official can also reportedly be heard telling the passenger that the request was “not allowed,” while still allegedly offering to facilitate the journey at a lower amount instead of directing him through regular booking channels.
After the video surfaced online, the incident triggered widespread debate on social media, with several users questioning whether such practices had now reached premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express.
Another user commented, “Government is not serious. Ticket Checker are the most corrupt lobby in Indian Railways.”
A third user wrote, “2nd time no TT will give empty seats to any passenger. Yes, the TT is wrong for allotting seats by charging money for his own profit. It's govt property.”
Another reaction read, “Bro buying tickets and making videos too not fair, man.”
One user also joked, “TTE – Train Ticket Exchanger.”
The controversy surfaced after a clip shared on X captured the railway official allegedly negotiating a ticket arrangement with a passenger travelling to Varanasi. According to the video, the passenger informed the TTE that he was running late and had purchased a superfast train ticket.
In response, the TTE allegedly asked for Rs 380 to arrange a seat on the Vande Bharat Express. However, when the passenger asked for a receipt, the amount was reportedly increased to Rs 750, nearly double the earlier figure.
Passenger allegedly offered Rs 500 during conversation
During the interaction, the passenger allegedly offered Rs 500, but the TTE reportedly refused and instead asked him to speak with the train attendant.When the passenger approached the attendant, the latter allegedly refused to enter into any arrangement and directed him back to the TTE. At that moment, the train’s automatic doors reportedly closed, leaving the passenger recording the video and two other people travelling with him stranded at the station.
The railway official can also reportedly be heard telling the passenger that the request was “not allowed,” while still allegedly offering to facilitate the journey at a lower amount instead of directing him through regular booking channels.
Railway rules permit penalties, not unofficial payments
According to railway rules, a TTE can issue a ticket and impose a penalty on passengers travelling without a valid ticket. However, demanding money without issuing a receipt is considered a violation of regulations.After the video surfaced online, the incident triggered widespread debate on social media, with several users questioning whether such practices had now reached premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express.
Social media reactions pour in
Reacting to the viral clip, one user sarcastically wrote, “TTE and Traffic Police have similar nature ... Both want to save your hard earned money. Otherwise Govt want to collect heavy fine or challan for breaking rules.”Another user commented, “Government is not serious. Ticket Checker are the most corrupt lobby in Indian Railways.”
A third user wrote, “2nd time no TT will give empty seats to any passenger. Yes, the TT is wrong for allotting seats by charging money for his own profit. It's govt property.”
Another reaction read, “Bro buying tickets and making videos too not fair, man.”
One user also joked, “TTE – Train Ticket Exchanger.”
