IRCTC software leads to arrest of fake ticket seller

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1

Creating seven fake identities from one computer for booking e-tickets proved to the undoing of Indrasan Maurya, who was nabbed by the Intelligence Wing of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) two days ago from the Mauli Jagran area.

RPF jawans recovered 25 e-tickets worth over Rs 66,000 from his possession. The accused reportedly confessed that he was allegedly selling tickets in black.

During the investigation, it came to light that it was the software of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation that led to Indrasan’s arrest.

IRCTC looks after the online booking of train tickets. A railway official said only a limited number of train tickets could be booked from a one identity. Even commercial agents could not book tickets over a stipulated number.

Sources in the RPF said IRCTC had developed a software that reflects the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer and also the location of a person if the latter was using multiple IDs for booking tickets.

The sources said IRCTC shared the information with the Intelligence Wing of the RPF and informed them about the location and IP address of Indrasan Maurya, who was booking the tickets on multiple identities.

Soon after receiving the information, the Intelligence Wing conducted a raid and nabbed the accused. The accused was booked under Section 143 of the Railway Act for selling computerised railway tickets reserved for different destinations.

The sources said the railway did not face any loss. However, Indrasan charged a premium from the passengers in lieu of tickets.