The Government Railway Police (GRP) in Haridwar have arrested 5 people accused of cheating railway passengers by claiming that their “uncle is a TT” and promising to convert general tickets into confirmed AC coach tickets.

The arrests followed a complaint by 2 workers from West Bengal, who allegedly lost cash, a mobile phone and banking information while waiting for a train at Haridwar railway station. Police recovered ₹25,000 and the victim’s mobile phone. They also froze ₹49,999 in a bank account.

The arrested people were identified as Saurabh, Sumit, Kishan Kumar, Jitendra Kumar Chaudhary and Bunty Kumar. The arrest summary also names the third accused as Krishna Kumar. Police said the accused were produced before a court and sent to jail.

How the alleged fraud happened

GRP Superintendent Aruna Bharti said the incident occurred on the night of 10 October. Biswajit Soren, a resident of Beliyabathan village in West Bengal’s Bardhaman district, and his companion Ranjit Kora had reached the station to board the Kumbh Express for a festival journey.

The 2 men had been working as labourers in Haridwar and had been saving money in their bank account. While they waited for the train, 2 men allegedly approached them and said they were travelling to Bihar. They claimed that their uncle worked as a railway TT and could upgrade the passengers’ general tickets to an AC third-tier sleeper coach.

The suspects allegedly introduced a third person as the railway employee. They then cited rules for entering the AC coach and asked the passengers to provide details of their luggage. After gaining their confidence, the accused allegedly took ₹12,000, a mobile phone, the phone’s PIN and other belongings before leaving.

Police said ₹90,500 was later withdrawn from the bank account. The case was registered after the complaint, and teams were formed under Station House Officer Bipin Chandra Pathak to identify those involved.

Arrests and police investigation

Investigators used CCTV footage and other information to trace the suspects. The 5 were arrested from the circulating area of Haridwar railway station while allegedly preparing to escape on a Bihar-bound train.

The accused were identified by police as follows:

  • Saurabh, from Pirpahar, Mufassil police station area, Munger district, Bihar.
  • Sumit, from Nay Tola Chandanpar, Kasim Bazar police station area, Munger district, Bihar.
  • Kishan Kumar, from Lailat Malkha, Sabour police station area, Bhagalpur district, Bihar.
  • Jitendra Kumar Chaudhary, from Nay Tola Chandanpar, Kasim Bazar police station area, Munger district, Bihar.
  • Bunty Kumar, from Kataria Kali Sthan, Mufassil police station area, Munger district, Bihar.

Police said the suspects used a staged conversation to build trust. 2 members allegedly began speaking with passengers before taking them to a person presented as a fake TT. The group then allegedly used railway rules concerning AC coaches to obtain cash, phones and banking details.

Circle Officer Anuj said the accused also allegedly asked for bank account PINs and used them to withdraw money. Police are checking their criminal histories and continuing the investigation.

Background of the accused

Inspector Bipin Chandra Pathak said Saurabh, who studied up to class 9, had worked as a daily-wage labourer in Bihar. Sumit, who studied up to class 12, drove an auto-rickshaw in Munger and worked for a local company.

Police said Kishan Kumar, who studied up to class 10, sold vegetables and installed tiles in Bhagalpur. Jitendra Kumar Chaudhary, who did not pass class 10, worked as a mason in Munger and has 3 children. Bunty Kumar, who studied up to class 12, was preparing to enrol in a bachelor’s degree programme.

According to the police account, the group came to Haridwar during the festival season to commit fraud and fund expensive mobile phones, motorcycles and other interests. Superintendent Aruna Bharti announced a reward of 2,500 for the police team involved in the arrests.

Conclusion

Haridwar GRP says 5 people have been arrested in an alleged railway ticket fraud case involving 2 West Bengal workers. Police recovered ₹25,000 and a phone, froze ₹49,999, and are now checking the accused’s past records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What did the accused allegedly promise passengers?

They allegedly promised to convert general railway tickets into confirmed AC third-tier sleeper coach tickets by claiming that their uncle was a railway TT.

Q. Where did the alleged fraud take place?

The 2 West Bengal workers were allegedly targeted while waiting for a train at Haridwar railway station.

Q. How much money was allegedly withdrawn from the victim’s account?

Police said ₹90,500 was withdrawn from the bank account after the accused allegedly obtained the phone’s PIN.

Q. What did the GRP recover?

Police recovered ₹25,000 and the victim’s mobile phone. They also froze ₹49,999 in a bank account.

Q. How many people were arrested?

The Haridwar GRP arrested 5 people in connection with the case.

Q. What happened after the arrests?

The accused were produced before a court and sent to jail. Police are checking their criminal histories.