Recent social media posts have caused a stir by claiming that booking train tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for friends or relatives with different surnames can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to Rs 10,000 or imprisonment for up to three years. These posts suggest that new rules mandate individuals to book tickets only for blood relations or those with the same surname using personal identification.
The Spread of Misinformation
These alarming claims have been widely shared on platforms like X and Facebook, and even websites like India.com have published stories supporting these allegations, causing widespread concern among users.
Channeliam Fact Check
Channeliam’s investigation into these claims reveals that the viral assertions about changes in IRCTC ticket booking rules are entirely false. No such notice or rule change has been issued by the IRCTC.
Lack of Credible Sources
Our probe found no credible news reports or official announcements from the Indian Railways supporting these viral claims. Additionally, the official IRCTC website does not contain any information to corroborate these allegations.
Official IRCTC Guidelines
In the FAQs section of the IRCTC website, a specific question addresses the issue of booking tickets for friends or family: “Can I book tickets for my friends or family?” The IRCTC’s response is clear: “Yes, just like flights, you can book tickets for friends and family. Just remember, that while travelling the passenger must carry a valid photo identity proof.” This unequivocally disproves the viral claim.
Misinterpretation of Legal Provisions
Some users have linked the viral claims to Section 143 of the Indian Railways Act. However, this section pertains to the unauthorized business of procuring and supplying railway tickets, not individual bookings. It states that anyone not authorized to conduct such business can be punished with imprisonment or a fine, but it has no relevance to booking tickets for friends or relatives with different surnames.
Official Clarifications
We also contacted the spokesperson of Indian Railways, who confirmed that the viral claims are false and that no such order has been issued. Furthermore, the official IRCTC and Indian Railways accounts on X have posted clarifications, labeling the circulating news as false and misleading.
Channeliam’s fact check makes it clear that the viral claim about IRCTC imposing restrictions on booking tickets for individuals with different surnames is baseless and false. Users are advised to disregard such misinformation and refer to official sources for accurate information regarding IRCTC policies.
