’Haath neeche karke paisa de kabootar’

That's how goons threaten passengers into bribing them for seats in general bogies

'Haath neeche karke paisa de kabootar'

That's how goons threaten passengers into bribing them for seats in general bogies

As Mamata Banerjee took oath as the Rail Minister, people in her home state Bengal rejoiced, looking forward to more trains and better facilities. However, nothing seems to have changed. If you haven't reserved a berth, you have no option but to grease the palms of goons at the New Delhi Railway Station for a seat.

Unfortunately, eastbound trains are the worst affected.

Corrupt cops

MiD DAY unearthed the nexus between goons, cops and Railway officials, who are deeply involved in this seat-for-bribe practice.

The sting

MiD DAY reporters landed at the New Delhi Railway Station on Wednesday afternoon, just in time to see serpentine queues of passengers rushing forward to board the Poorva Express to Howrah. However, as the train pulled into platform No 14, the reporters noted its general compartments were not empty. Men armed with lathis guarded the doors to the three general compartments. The rulebook says compartments of a train should be locked when it arrives at its originating station.

As the train stopped, a few more armed men rounded up the passengers and ordered them to stand in a queue. Then they started letting in the passengers one at a time, after charging a 'fee'. The bribe starts at Rs 50 and can go up to Rs 100. Incidentally, the fare to Howrah is Rs 229.

If a passenger refuses to pay up, he is not allowed to board the train. "Boarding the train early is very important as one can't reserve a seat in a general compartment. Only the first few get seats," said a passenger traveling to Howrah.

As the goons collected the money, police officials and Railway employees stood guard.

Where does the money go?

The same scene was repeated after a while as the Saptkranti Superfast Express to Muzaffarpur arrived at platform No 13.

"The money collected is distributed among Railway employees on duty and a large amount of it is sent up to senior officials and cops," said a Railway official posted at the New Delhi Railway Station, wishing anonymity.

And if sources are to be believed, the amount collected can run up to several thousands per train. "From every compartment the goons earn at least Rs 5,000. And this practice is rampant in all trains," said the official.

Chiraag, a student of Hansraj College, who was traveling to his hometown Aligarh, said, "The bribe rate depends upon the distance being traveled. This is a regular practice and from Rail officials to the police, everyone is involved in it," he said.

Officials promise action

When contacted, Northern Railway Spokesperson Anant Swarup said, "We will investigate the matter. We have already ordered that all trains should come to the platform locked from inside."

Additional DCP, Railways (Delhi Police), BS Gurjar, promised strict action against corrupt cops. "If any policeman is found involved in this racket, he will be punished. The Delhi Police will also write to the Railway Police in this regard and ask them to take strict action," Gurjar said.

Off track
Over 250 trains travel to various parts of the country from the New Delhi Railway Station. Nearly 200 trains have general bogies and the malpractice is prevalent in all of them.

Transcript of the MiDDAY sting

While the tout was busy taking money from the passengers to get a seat reserved in the general compartment, MiD DAY talked to him.

MiD DAY: How much will the seat cost?
Tout: Rs.50
MiD DAY: Will a seat be guaranteed for me?
Tout: Yes
MiD DAY: What if I don't get a seat?
Tout: The money will not be returned. I have already got many passengers standing in the queue.
In the meantime the tout takes money from one of the passengers standing near by and pushes infront in the queue.
Tout to the passenger: Haath neeche karke paisa de kabootar
MiD DAY moves ahead towards the Delhi policemen and RPF security personnel standing just 5-10 metres away. Looking at the cameraman he gets alert and offers MiD DAY some cold drink.
Police: Chaliye kuch thanda peete hai
MiD DAY: Abhi nahi. Mein ek story kar raha hoon
After the train goes, the same policeman come and asks again
Police:u00a0 Have you people done your story?
MiD DAY: What is the scene? We have seen touts taking money from people?
Police: Why are you doing the story only on platform number 13? Aaj ke baad is platform par dikh gaya to band kar doonga. All these drama will not happen here.
After some arguments the policeman challenges to come alone tomorrow and then they will show their clouts
Policeman: Agar himat ho to akele aa kar dikhana.