LUCKNOW: A 47-year-old man with a diploma was arrested late Wednesday night for masterminding an illegal train ticket racket. Using a popular software known as “Gadar Software,” Ahmed Ali, originally from Siddharthnagar but living in Daliganj, was creating fake railway e-tickets and making fast money by duping innocent travellers.
Ali, who appeared to be living an ordinary life, exploited his technical know-how to generate fake IRCTC user IDs and e-tickets. His illegal activities earned him anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per ticket above the printed price, amassing a significant amount over time, the police said.
During the raid, authorities found 116 counterfeit IRCTC user IDs, 15 fake railway tickets worth Rs 23,542, a laptop with “Gadar Software” installed, an Apple iPhone 15, and a backpack filled with documents, the police said.
According to Vikas Pandey, Deputy SP, GRP Lucknow, Ali was using his diploma skills not for legitimate work, but to tap into the burgeoning demand for Tatkal tickets, often a lifeline for last-minute travellers. “He was able to issue tickets worth lakhs using this software and fake identities, taking advantage of the desperation of innocent passengers,” Pandey said.
The operation came to a head when the Railway Protection Force (RPF) received a tip-off from IRCTC about suspicious activity in the Tatkal ticketing system. A joint raid by the GRP Surveillance Cell, Crime Intelligence Branch, and RPF led to his arrest near Bhootnath Market, Indiranagar.
The arrest of Ali, who is now facing charges under Section 143 of the Railway Act, serves as a stark reminder of how easily technology can be exploited for personal gain.
