A viral video shows that a family stole bedding and towels from the 1st AC coach of Purushottam Express. They are confronted by staff, and they have returned items; Outrage online has elicited calls to strict action. Representative image. (Istock) A shocking video has become viral on social media, with a family stealing bedding and towels from the first AC coach of the Purushottam Express, running between Puri and Delhi. The family – consisting of a woman and two men, was confronted by travel ticket examiners (TTEs) and railway staff on the platform. In the video, a railway attendant can be heard in Odia: “Sir, see here, bed cards and blankets come from all the bags. Towels, bedding, four sets. Either to return it or pay £ 780.” The passengers reluctantly returned the items after they were caught. One of the men claimed it was an honest mistake, suggesting that his mother may have accidentally packed the sheets. However, railway staff did not convince. “A matter of pride” intervened in the TTE and warned that the case could escalate under the Railway Act. A user wrote: “Travel in the 1st AC of the Purushottam Express is a matter of pride. But people are still there who do not hesitate to steal and take the sheets offered for extra comfort during travel.” Public anger online The video caused outrage online, with netizens marking the act “disgusting” and “shameless”. Many people have demanded strict punishment, including lifelong ban on railway travel for the offenders. One user wrote: “How low can people bend? These are public resources intended for comfort, not personal loot.” Another said: “Traveling in 1st AC is a privilege, but the stealing of the bed sheets shows a lack of respect and honesty. Let us appreciate and maintain public resources.” A third added: “Even if they have returned, they must still be fined for this criminal act. Until they are punished, this behavior will not disappear. This kind of people will bring us nationally and internationally.” Others have suggested that such behavior is not linked to wealth, but to habit: “I have heard of people who are rich enough to stay in five-star hotels and still take small objects such as linen, pillows and decorative pieces. Sometimes stealing has less to do with economic background. It is a compulsive behavior that is very often found in people.” Railways responds in the comments section, Railway Seva, an official account, confirmed: “To escalate the necessary action to the official concerned.” Bedding policy Indian Railways offers blankets and bed cards to passengers in air -conditioned and sleeping classes on long -distance trains for extra comfort. These items are regularly cleaned and maintained and are intended to return at the end of the trip.
1st AC coach passenger caught up with a red hands, towels: ‘Heard from people who are rich …’
