Caught ticketless in First AC, woman says ‘my brother is loco pilot’, then asks TTE’s caste

The ticketless passenger was travelling with her daughter. (Image credit: @trainwalebhaiya/X)

A woman and her daughter were caught travelling without valid tickets in a first-class AC coach, sparking a confrontation with the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.

The video opens with the TTE calmly asking the woman to show her ticket. She admits she doesn’t have one and claims she boarded the train only to use the washroom. The woman attempted to justify their presence by stating, “My brother is a loco pilot,” suggesting that family ties to railway staff entitle them to travel without a ticket.

Caste remarks follow after TTE asks for name
The situation escalates when the woman asks the TTE for his name and then makes caste-based remarks. "Had you been from a different caste, you wouldn’t have created a scene,” she says in the now-viral clip. The TTE responds, “Don’t throw casteist remarks at me. This is what you can do — shout and speak like this despite not buying a ticket.”

Social media users call out entitlement
The video drew sharp criticism online, with users condemning the misuse of government connections. "Let me tell you this is a major issue in UP-Bihar states, where families of Indian Railways employees just say to TC they are 'staff' and travel freely. I hope the railway will take some action to stop this. They shouldn't claim anything without a proper and valid pass with them," said one X user. Another added, "Yesterday it was a government school teacher, today it’s the sister of a loco pilot. Looks like government employees and their family members believe Indian Railways is their personal property."

Railways yet to issue official statement
The Indian Railways has not released an official statement regarding the incident, but the video has reignited conversations around ticketless travel, caste-based entitlement, and the need for stricter enforcement.