In a reminder of the tightened enforcement measures under the newly introduced Jan Vishwas Act, a special railway court here has sentenced a ticketless passenger to one day’s imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹7,000.

The action unfolded during a routine ticket-checking drive conducted jointly by the railway ticket checking staff and the Railway Protection Force (RPF). A passenger was caught traveling without a valid ticket and subsequently refused to pay the standard on-the-spot penalty of ₹600 stipulated under the Jan Vishwas Act. Following the non-compliance, the passenger was detained and handed over to the Kollam RPF Station for further legal proceedings.

The RPF registered a formal case under Sections 137, 145(b), and 146 of the Railways Act, 1989. After completing the necessary legal formalities, the security force prosecuted the passenger before the Special Class Railway Magistrate Court in Kollam. Justin Martin, the Special Class Railway Magistrate, Kollam, found the accused guilty of the offense and awarded the penal sentence of ₹7,000 fine alongside a one-day prison term.

Railway officials said that the conviction underscores the rigorous enforcement regime now in place under the Jan Vishwas Act. Authorities warned that violations like ticketless travel will continue to invite strict legal action to protect railway revenue, maintain travel discipline, and ensure a secure, orderly environment for legitimate commuters.

Published - July 18, 2026 09:29 pm IST