A shocking video has surfaced online showing a disturbing incident onboard an Indian Railways train, where a Passenger was physically assaulted after reportedly filing a complaint about being overcharged for food. The video first appeared on the Reddit community IndianRailways’ and has since gone viral across various social media platforms, including Instagram, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
According to the Reddit post accompanying the video, the Passenger had submitted a formal grievance through the Railway Seva (RailSeva) app, alleging that a caterer onboard had overcharged him. The complaint reportedly included sensitive details such as the passenger’s PNR and seat number, which were allegedly shared with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). In a troubling turn of events, IRCTC is said to have passed these details on to the private catering contractor responsible for food services on the train.
surrounding and attacking the Passenger
What followed has raised serious concerns about the handling of passenger complaints. The Reddit post claims that, in response to the complaint, the catering contractor sent a group of men to confront the complainant during the journey. The confrontation escalated into physical violence, which was captured in a 19-second video now circulating widely on social media.
The video, reportedly filmed inside a sleeper coach of the Somnath–Jabalpur Express (Train No. 11463), shows several men — some of whom appear to be in catering staff uniforms — surrounding and attacking the passenger. Other people in the coach are seen observing the incident, but none intervene to stop the assault. The lack of response from fellow passengers, combined with the apparent coordination between railway staff and contractors, has only intensified the public’s concern.
A user who shared the video on Reddit expressed strong criticism of the current grievance redressal mechanism in Indian Railways. “Sharing Passenger details with the very people the complaint is against makes no sense,” the user wrote. “Complaints should be verified by a neutral third party, and refunds or action should be taken without putting Passengers at risk.”
The incident has sparked debates around passenger safety, data privacy, and the transparency of the Railways’ complaint resolution process. Critics argue that sharing the complainant’s details with the contractor directly undermines the integrity of the system and could deter future Passengers from reporting misconduct or fraudulent practices.
As of now, there has been no official statement from Indian Railways or IRCTC addressing the allegations. However, the virality of the video and the growing backlash have prompted demands from netizens, activists, and consumer rights groups for an immediate and thorough investigation. Many are calling for disciplinary action against those involved and for the implementation of stricter protocols to protect whistleblowers and ensure that complaints are handled securely and impartially.
The incident highlights a critical gap in the grievance redressal process and has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about accountability and transparency in public services in India.