Can Railway Police (RPF) Check Train Tickets?

There can be specific circumstances where it becomes necessary for the railway police to check train tickets

Train journeys can be a bit challenging in view of the heavy rush of passengers and adverse climate conditions. This is especially true for people travelling in sleeper or general coaches. There have also been cases where travellers had to face the high handedness of officials. Such things often occur due to lack of awareness. For example, one common concern is who all can check the train tickets. Many people ask whether railway police can check train tickets. To know the answer, here are some important things to understand.

Can Railway Police (RPF) check train tickets?

The answer to that can be a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ depending on the situation. First, let us take a look at the ‘No’ scenario. On normal days, the train tickets are checked by the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). Only the TTE has the right to check your train ticket. In such cases, the railway police (RPF) are not allowed to check the train tickets of passengers.

However, the situation can change if a magistrate checking is done on the train. A magistrate checking is a more potent method to identify people who may be travelling without a ticket in the train. In normal circumstances when tickets are checked by a TTE, it is possible that some ticketless travellers may flee the scene. But a magistrate checking of train tickets is much more difficult to escape. Because a magistrate checking is often done in a remote place, where escaping may not be an option.

Moreover, a magistrate checking is done with heavy support of officials and police. A larger manpower ensures that ticketless travellers have almost no chance of escape. During a magistrate checking of a train, the railway police may be given temporary rights to check tickets of travellers. As magistrate checking needs to be done in a swift manner, it requires more people to check the tickets. This is where the railway police may be needed to check the tickets.

Investigation of crime

In addition to magistrate checking, the railway police may also check tickets in case of any individual involved in a criminal activity. This will be part of the criminal investigation and not solely limited to checking train tickets. There are many cases wherein criminals have been found to be active in a train or around the various properties owned by the Indian Railways. To check their identity or to know their purpose, the railway police may check if they have a train ticket. In many cases, criminals also try to pose as normal train passengers. This is also where the railway police may be required to check the train tickets of such persons.

What to do if railway police check your train ticket?

It is possible that railway police personnel may ask to check your train ticket. It can occur due to suspicion, a case of mistaken identity or simply a way to extract a bribe. If you are a normal traveller, have a valid train ticket and are not involved in any criminal activity, you have nothing to fear. But it is important to cooperate with the railway police. You can choose to show your ticket, and the matter will end that very moment.

However, if you do not wish to show your ticket, you can refuse politely. You can request the railway police to call the TTE. Do not get into arguments or fights when talking to the railway police. Stay calm, and politely present your points. You can also contact the Railways Helpline number 139 to sort out any issues.