Recently, news has surfaced on social media platforms with the claim that IRCTC has changed their rules for train ticket bookings, stating that individuals are no longer eligible to book train tickets for friends and relatives and could face a fine or jail time. However, D-Intent Data has found that the viral claims about changed rules in ticket booking are false. There is no fine or jail for booking train tickets for friends and relatives.
Users disseminated the false claims about no fine or jail for booking train tickets for friends and relatives
Several users have made posts on social media. These posts claim “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.”
An account @Turinhorze on X (Formerly Twitter) has shared the postcard containing false claims. Later the post was deleted.
Another user @RhoSigmaIota has also shared the postcard and said Silly rules. Who thinks of such trash. What happens office wants book for its employees or I wish to book for my cousins.
No fine or jail for booking train tickets for friends and relatives: Fact-Check
During research D-Intent Data has found that the viral claims about IRCTC rules for tickets booking are not valid.
IRCTC has issued a statement and said that. The news in circulation on social media about restrictions in booking of e-tickets due to different surnames is false and misleading. The concerned should be discouraged from spreading such false news. It is clarified that tickets from IRCTC site are being booked as per Railway Board Guidelines and required information is available on the public domain as under. 1. One can book tickets on personal User ID for friends, family, and relatives. 2. Booking can be done for up to 12 tickets per month which in case of Aadhaar-authenticated users can go up to 24 tickets per month. If one of the passengers on a ticket is also aadhar authenticated. 3. Tickets booked on personal User IDs are not meant for commercial sale and such an act is an offense under section 143 of Railways Act 1989.
Hence the claims viral on social media are fake and baseless. Nothing to do with reality.
Intent
Influencers circulate self-invented claims about train ticket booking to set their narrative against railway authorities.
Conclusion
Claim- Booking train tickets for friends and others could lead to a huge fine of Rs 10,000 or a jail term of up to 3 years or both.
Fact- IRCTC has issued a statement and clarified that the viral claims are false and misleading. You can book tickets for friends and relatives.
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