Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has directed all railway zone General Managers to ensure maximum punishment for ticket examiners (TTEs) found taking bribes and allotting vacant berths to passengers.
The court made the observation while hearing an appeal linked to a 2009 incident on the Teesta Torsa Express, which ran from New Jalpaiguri to Sealdah. Two passengers, who did not have sleeper berths, allegedly paid a bribe to a TTE and obtained berths.
According to the case details, two thieves travelling in the same coach later drugged the passengers and robbed them of cash and valuables before escaping. One passenger, who was already suffering from health issues, reportedly died after being unable to withstand the effect of the sedative, while the other survived after nine days of intensive care.
Railway police investigated the incident, arrested the accused thieves and registered a murder case against them. In its order, the High Court said such bribery-driven berth allotments by some TTEs can become a root cause for serious crimes, and noted that many similar incidents may go unreported.
The court therefore instructed that TTEs who “sell” vacant berths for bribes must face the maximum penalty, and that railway zone heads should ensure strict enforcement.
