Vlogger Attacked Inside 3AC Coach Over Pricing Complaint; Video Sparks Outrage

News18

08-05-2025

Last Updated:
After complaining about an overcharge, a passenger was assaulted on a 3AC coach.
A travel vlogger, who complained about being overcharged for food and bottled drinking water, was allegedly attacked by railway pantry employees.
In a video posted on X (previously Twitter), the vlogger, travelling in the third AC compartment, said he was threatened after he called out the pantry service's excessive prices.
The incident happened on the Hemkunt Express (Train No. 14609).
In the now-viral clip, the vlogger is seen confronting the railway staff for charging Rs 20 for a bottle of water priced at Rs 15 and Rs 20 for a Rs 10 coffee. A video of the incident has sparked outrage on social media.
'This is The Passenger Security in 3rd AC of Indian Railway #shame. When I complained about overcharging in Train by Pantry, an attempt was made to kill me," the post on X read. The vlogger also shared the train number and his PNR status in the post.
Watch the video here:
This is The Passenger Security in 3rd AC of Indian Railway #shame || When I complained about overcharging in Train by Pantry , an attempt was made to kill me 😭😭Train no.14609PNR – 2434633402 @RailMinIndia @IRCTCofficial @narendramodi @RailwayNorthern @AshwiniVaishnaw pic.twitter.com/VSNZlblHOQ — Mr.Vishal (@Mrvishalsharma_) May 7, 2025
In the video, the vlogger requests a new brand of packaged drinking water rather than a local one. The pantry staff responds with 'Yehi mila" (I only have this). He then requests the pantry staff to sell it at Rs 15. After displaying the bottle to his camera, the vlogger reads the label out loud: 'Wavy Wonder Aqua."
The vlogger, later in the video, points out another example of overpricing: a cup of coffee that should cost Rs 10 according to Indian Railways' standard price is being sold for twice the amount. He then said a packet of instant noodles, which normally costs about Rs 40, was being sold for Rs 50.
After that, the vlogger uses the Railways app to make a complaint and gets a response. 'Closing Remarks by Railways: Passenger has been attended and, as per the passenger, the service provider is selling local water named Wonder Aqua in the train for Rs 20. The matter has been apprised to the concerned authorities for suitable action," the response reads.
The vlogger is then seen lying on his top berth with the lights off in the video. He is suddenly asked to come down by a pantry staff member, who says someone from the control room has arrived to meet him.
Following several calls, the employee turns on the lights. The presence of three pantry employees is now clearly visible in the video. After that, one of the pantry employees begins to pull the vlogger's leg while the other keeps calling him out.
Passengers who hear the commotion advise the pantry staff not to exacerbate the situation because a baby is sleeping. But their plea is ignored. The vlogger is then attacked by the pantry employees after they scale to his seat.
Since going viral, the video has garnered over 3.6 million views so far. As public criticism escalated, Railway Seva, the official support account for Indian Railways, addressed the issue on X.
Kindly look into this matter @rpfnr_ — RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) May 7, 2025
Later, the vlogger disclosed that the pantry staff attacked him. He had blood on his hands and clothes torn. According to the Hindustan Times, Railway Seva acknowledged that a Rs 5 lakh penalty was issued on the caterer, and a FIR had been initiated.
First Published:
May 08, 2025, 16:02 IST