Calcutta High Court asks all railway zones to impose maximum penalties on TTEs illegally selling vacant berths
July 13, 2026: The Calcutta High Court has directed the general managers of all railway zones to ensure strict action against travelling ticket examiners (TTEs) found illegally selling vacant berths on trains. The court observed that some TTEs “sell empty berths like vegetables in a market” and held that such misconduct creates opportunities for serious crimes against passengers. The observations came while hearing an appeal in a 2009 robbery case aboard the Teesta Torsa Express.
The case involved two passengers who boarded the train with unreserved tickets and allegedly secured berths by paying a TTE. They were later drugged and robbed by two criminals. One of the victims survived after hospitalisation, while the other died after consuming the sedative. While partially allowing the appeals of the convicted men, the High Court ruled that the evidence supported conviction only under the charge related to administering intoxicating substances and not for murder. The court ordered their release after noting they had already spent 10 and 16 years in prison.
The bench, comprising Justice Rajasekhar Mantha and Justice Biswaroop Choudhury, also criticised the police investigation, pointing out major lapses, including the failure to obtain the forensic report of the victim’s viscera. The court said both the investigation and the conduct of railway staff reflected serious negligence and urged the police and railway authorities to strengthen passenger safety and accountability across the Indian Railways.