Illegal software, fake IDs and unauthorised touts have led to over 15,263 illegal railway tickets worth Rs 2.15 crore in 2021 with 684 cases and arrest of 734 people.

“The Railway Police Force had formed special teams with dedicated staff from the detective wing of RPF Crime Branch, Cyber Cell and Division to launch special drives against touts. It was observed that touts were booking tickets using several fake identity cards. Some authorised IRCTC agents also used fake IDs and illegal software to issue tickets and charged extra money from innocent passengers," said Sumit Thakur, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.