RPF arrests 185 e-ticket touts in nationwide raids on Nov. 2

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Railways Protection Force (RPF) arrested 185 e-ticket touts in a nationwide raids conducted in more than 100 cities on November 2, 2018.

Acting on various sources, a detailed analysis of booking pattern of railway reserved e-tickets was done by the Security Directorate, Railway Board. The RPF examined minutely modus operandi of the touts to procure and sell e-tickets unauthorisedly through Personal User Ids.

Accordingly, out of more than total 5 crore users, a list of most suspected personal user IDs was prepared at Railway Board, New Delhi. This list of suspected users were then shared with Zonal Heads of RPF (IG-cum-PCSCs) through a secret communication to maintain element of surprise in the entire operation (Code Name – Operation Storm). Detailed instructions of the Director General, RPF, were also conveyed regarding thorough verification of credentials and activities of all suspects at ground level well in advance of the proposed raid, according to a PIB release.

Of the 185 touts arrested on November 2, 2018, maximum 40 were arrested under Western Railways followed by 32 under Eastern Railways. Altogether 1,875 future journey tickets worth Rs 35.68 lakh were forfeited. An illegal software was also detected in Mumbai while 1,268 Personal User IDs, which were being used to carry out touting activities, were sent to IRCTC for deactivating them immediately.

Keeping in view the ongoing festival season, a drive against touts is going on since October 7, 2018. During this drive (Up to November 2, 2018), total 891 touts have so far been arrested with the recovery of future journey tickets worth Rs 1.5 crore and total tickets worth Rs 5.75 crore.