Lighthouse Journalism came across a post being widely circulated on all social media platforms claiming that there are new IRCTC rules for booking train tickets. The post mentioned, ‘individuals can only book tickets for blood relations or those with the same surname, using personal ID. Booking for friends or others could lead to a huge fine of Rs. 10,000 or a jail term of up to 3 years, or both’. During the investigation we found the viral claim to be false.
Claim:
Instagram user cine_muchatlu shared the viral claim on their profile.
Check the archive version of the claim.
Other users too are sharing the same claim.
Investigation:
We started our investigation with a simple Google keyword search and checking the IRCTC website.
We checked the FAQs section of the IRCTC website. The number 12 question said that the tickets can be booked for friends and family.
We found a clarification by IRCTC calling the news in circulation on social media about restriction in booking of e-tickets due to different surnames as false and misleading.
We also found a post by PIB fact check on the same.
We also connected with MS Uppal from Central Railway, who confirmed that the viral claim is false.
Conclusion: New rules for IRCTC ticket booking for people not from family won’t land you in jail. Viral claim is false and misleading.
