TTE caught on camera taking cash without tickets on Nagaland Express, sparks outrage

A Ticket Travelling Examiner (TTE) identified as Bhajan Malakar has come under fire after being caught on video illegally collecting money from passengers aboard the Nagaland Express at Lanka Railway Station. 

The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows Malakar accepting cash while scribbling names on plain paper, without issuing valid travel tickets.

Malakar is a TTE under the Lumding Railway Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon, Guwahati. The incident has triggered widespread criticism and renewed concerns over systemic malpractice in Assam’s railway network — especially on passenger and long-distance trains.

This is not an isolated case. In a similar incident, Sumit Kumar Singh, a Deputy Chief Ticket Collector (Dy. CTC), was earlier suspended for collecting money illegally on the Jana Shatabdi Express. Despite the disciplinary action, Singh reportedly managed to rejoin service, allegedly with the backing of higher officials — raising serious questions about internal accountability and disciplinary mechanisms within the railway system.

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Today's case at Lanka station is now being seen as part of a larger pattern of unchecked corruption and misconduct among certain sections of railway staff. Passengers and locals have demanded an immediate and transparent investigation, calling for strict punitive action to deter future violations.

So far, the railway authorities have not released any official statement regarding the incident. However, mounting public pressure and the viral nature of the video are expected to compel the department to respond soon.

The public has urged railway officials to adopt stricter monitoring and enforcement protocols to ensure integrity in passenger services and restore faith in the railway system.